2010-19-04: Airborne Auxiliary Power

2010-19-04 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Amendment 39-16432. Docket No. FAA-2009-0715; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-211-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 27, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certified in any category; as identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2008. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 49: Airborne Auxiliary Power. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: It has been found the occurrence of corrosion on the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) mounting rods that could cause the APU rod to break, affecting the APU support structure integrity. APU support structure failure could result in loss of power of the APU and possible loss of control of the airplane. The required action is doing an external detailed inspection for corrosion of the APU auxiliary and center mounting rods and rod ends, and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective actions include removing corrosion, applying anticorrosive treatment, and replacing mounting rods. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done do the following actions: (1) Within 1,500 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do an external detailed inspection for corrosion of the APU, auxiliary and center mounting rods, and rod ends. If any corrosion is found during any inspection, before further flight, do the actions required by paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), and (f)(1)(iii) of this AD, as applicable. Do all actions required by this paragraph in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2008. (i) If light corrosion (characterized by discoloration or pitting) is found on a mounting rod, remove the corrosion and apply an anticorrosive treatment. (ii) If moderate corrosion (characterized by surface blistering or evidence of scaling and flaking), or heavy corrosion (characterized by severe blistering exfoliation, scaling and flaking) is found, replace the affected mounting rod with a new mounting rod having the same part number. (iii) If any corrosion is detected on the rod ends, remove the corrosion and apply an anticorrosive treatment. (2) Accomplishing of the inspection and corrective actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD before the effective date of this AD in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, dated April 18, 2008, is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (3) For mounting rods with moderate or heavy corrosion, submit a report of the positive findings (including level of corrosion such as moderate or heavy; guidance on corrosion can be found in Chapter 51-11-01 of the EMBRAER Corrosion Prevention Manual) of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to Mr. Antonio Claret--Customer Support Group, Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc, 276 S.W 34th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315--USA; telephone (954) 359- 3826; e-mail structure@embraer.com.br; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD. The report must include the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane. (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (ii) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. FAA AD Differences Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows:(1) Although Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-08-01, dated October 21, 2008, does not include a reporting requirement, the service bulletin identified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD does specify reporting findings to EMBRAER. This AD requires that operators report the results of the inspections to EMBRAER because the required inspection report will help determine the extent of the corrosion in the affected fleet, from which we will determine if further corrective action is warranted. This difference has been coordinated with ANAC. (2) Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-08-01, dated October 21, 2008, allows replacement of the affected APU mounting rods by ``new ones bearing a new P/N [part number] approved by ANAC [Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil].'' However, paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD requires replacing the affected mounting rod only with a new mounting rod having the same part number. Operators may request approval of an alternative method of compliance to installa new part number in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. This difference has been coordinated with ANAC. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. (4) Special Flight Permits: Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane can be modified (if the operator elects to do so), except if two or more center mounting rods or rod ends are heavily corroded or broken, a special flight permit is not permitted. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-08-01, dated October 21, 2008; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2008; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), Technical Publications Section (PC 060), Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170- Putim-12227-901 Sao Jose dos Campos-SP-BRASIL; telephone +55 12 3927-5852 or +55 12 3309-0732; fax +55 12 3927-7546; e-mail distrib@embraer.com.br; Internet http://www.flyembraer.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.