2012-05-08: Wings

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2012-05-08 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Amendment 39-16980. Docket No. FAA-2012-0191; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-035-AD. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 4, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE., and -100 SU airplanes; and Model ERJ 170-200 LR, -200 SU, and -200 STD airplanes; certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) ofAmerica Code 57: Wings. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by reports of fuel seepage at the left-hand wing, close to the rib 10 area in two airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking on the wing spar II, which could result in a fuel leak, consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and possible fire. (f) Compliance You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. (g) General Visual Inspection for Fuel Leakage At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection for fuel leakage on the wings, close to the rib 10 area, while both tanks are fully fueled, in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 170-57-A053, dated February 13, 2012. Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Guidance on performing the inspection for fuel leakage can be found in Task 28-11-00-790-801-A, Wing Tank--Fueled Tank Leakage Check, of the EMBRAER 170/175 Aircraft Maintenance Manual. (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 11,999 or fewer total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect before the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles, or within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 11,999 total flight cycles but fewer than 13,926 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. (3) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 13,925 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect before the accumulation of 14,075 total flight cycles, or within 75 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (h) Detailed Inspection for Cracks (Leakage Found) If any sign offuel leakage is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, do a detailed inspection for cracks on spar II, spar cap third, and main box lower skin of the wings, close to the rib 10, in accordance with Part II or Part III, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 170-57-A053, dated February 13, 2012. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight [[Page 16157]] cycles until accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD. (i) Detailed Inspection for Cracks (No Leakage Found) If no sign of fuel leakage is found during the most recent inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, within 450 flight cycles after accomplishing the inspection, repeat the general visual inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD and do a detailed inspection for cracks on spar II, spar cap third, and main box lower skin of the wings, close to the rib 10, in accordance with Part II and Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 170-57-A053, dated February 13, 2012. Repeat both inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 450 flight cycles. (j) Special Detailed Inspection (Leakage Found) If any fuel leakage is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD: Within 150 flight cycles after the most recent inspection, do an eddy current special detailed inspection for cracks on spar II of the wings, and a defueled tank leak check for fuel leakage, in accordance with Part IV and Part V, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 170-57-A053, dated February 13, 2012. (1) If any crack is found: Do the actions specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. (2) If no crack is found: Repeat the general visual inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this AD and the detailed inspection specified in paragraph (i) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 450 flight cycles. (k) Repair If any cracking or fuel leakage is found during any inspection or check required by this AD: Before further flight, repair using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM- 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) (or its delegated agent). Repair of any crack terminates the repetitive inspection requirements required by this AD for that side of the wing. Note 2 to paragraph (k) of this AD: Guidance on the classification of ``fuel leakage'' and the disposition of fuel leaks can be found in Task 28-11-00-790-801-A, Wing Tank--Fueled Tank Leakage Check, of the EMBRAER 170/175 Aircraft Maintenance Manual. (l) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, ANM-116, send it to ATTN: Cindy Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057- 3356; telephone 425-227-2768; fax 425-227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 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. (m) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are not allowed. (n) Related Information Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2012-02-01, dated February 22, 2012; and EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 170-57- A053, dated February 13, 2012; for related information. (o) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51: (i) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin 170-57-A053, dated February13, 2012. (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 S[atilde]o Jose dos Campos--SP--BRASIL; telephone +55 12 3927-5852 or +55 12 3309-0732; fax +55 12 3927-7546; email 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 an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.