2024-25-01: Flight Controls

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-23-09, Amendment 39-22611 (88 FR 89286, December 27, 2023); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2024-25-01 Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.): Amendment 39-22903; Docket No. FAA-2024-2550; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00345-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 29, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2023-23-09, Amendment 39-22611 (88 FR 89286, December 27, 2023) (AD 2023-23-09). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.) Model ERJ 190-400 airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of unexpected wear on the wing hinge bearing assembly of the aileron surfaces found during the functional test of the aileron control system backlash. The FAA is issuing this AD to address wear on the wing hinge bearing assembly of the aileron surfaces that could lead to excessive backlash. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a limit cycle oscillation phenomenon exposing the surrounding structure and systems to unacceptable vibration levels and reducing airplane controllability. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2023-05-02R1, effective June 17, 2024 (ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1). (h) Exceptions to ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 (1) Where ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD requires replacing table 01 of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 with figure 1 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD; and where paragraph (b)(1) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies "the applicable intervals and limitations established in the 'Table 01-Compliance intervals and limitations' of this AD," this AD requires using figure 1 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. ER14JA25.002 (3) Where paragraph (b)(3) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies to "measure de distances," this AD requires replacing those words with "measure the distances." (4) All applicable related investigative and corrective actions specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(iii) and (b)(4)(iii)(a) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 must be done before the next flight after the functional check of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wing aileron control system. (5) All applicable related investigative actions specified in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 must be done before the next flight after the detailed inspection on the LH and RH removed aileron surface, as applicable. (6) Where paragraph (d) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies to repeat the inspections "at each 3,000 FH," this AD requires replacing that text with "at intervals not to exceed 3,000 FH"; and where paragraph (d) of ANAC 2023-05-02R1 specifies performing subsequent inspections "after 3000 FH," this AD requires replacing those words with "within 3,000 FH." (7) Where paragraph (d) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies to "Repeat the inspections and the actions required by the paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD," this AD requires replacing that text with "Repeat the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD." (8) Where paragraph (e) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies "since the airplane maintenance records clearly identify that the actions required by the paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD have been complied with," this AD requires replacing that text with "if the airplane maintenance records clearly identify that the actions required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD, as applicable, have been complied with." (9) This AD does not adopt paragraph (f) of ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1. (10) Although the service information specified in ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies returning certain parts the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in ANAC AD 2023-05-02R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov . (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or ANAC; or ANAC's authorized Designee. If approved by the ANAC Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as specified by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD: For material that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply. (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled "RC Exempt," then the RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures. (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Krista Greer, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3221; email: krista.greer@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2023-05-02R1, effective June 17, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For ANAC material identified in this AD, contact ANAC, Aeronautical Products Certification Branch (GGCP), Rua Dr. Orlando Feirabend Filho, 230-Centro Empresarial Aquarius-Torre B-Andares 14 a 18, Parque Residencial Aquarius, CEP 12.246-190-São José dos Campos-SP, Brazil; telephone 55 (12) 3203-6600; email: pac@anac.gov.br; website anac.gov.br/en/. You may find this material on the ANAC website at sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on January 6, 2025. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-00423 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P