2025-01-05: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

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) 2022-25-07, Amendment 39-22263 (87 FR 77493, December 19, 2022); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2025-01-05 Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.): Amendment 39-22929; Docket No. FAA-2024-1887; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01237-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-25-07, Amendment 39-22263 (87 FR 77493, December 19, 2022) (AD 2022-25-07). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 SE, -100 STD, and -100 SU airplanes; and Model ERJ 170-200 LR, -200 STD, -200 SU, and -200 LL airplanes; certificated in any category, with manufacturer serial numbers 17000002, 17000004 through 17000013 inclusive, and 17000015 through 17000948 inclusive. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements (PSEs); such cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. The FAA is also issuing this AD to address safety significant latent failures; such failures, in combination with one or more other specified failures or events, could result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems. Furthermore, the FAA is issuing this AD to address potential ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions; such failures, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program From AD 2019-25-16, Amendment 39-21015 (85 FR 453, January 6, 2020) (AD 2019-25-16), With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2022-25-07, with no changes. For Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, and -100 SU airplanes; and Model ERJ 170-200 LR, -200 SU, -200 STD, and -200LL airplanes; manufacturer serial numbers 17000002, 17000004 through 17000013 inclusive, and 17000015 through 17000761 inclusive: Within 90 days after February 10, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2019-25-16), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Part 1-Certification Maintenance Requirements, Part 2-Airworthiness Limitation Inspections (ALI) Structures, Part 3-Fuel System Limitation Items, and Part 4-Life Limited Items; and EMBRAER Temporary Revision (TR) 14-1, dated November 13, 2018, to Part 4-Life Limited Items; of Appendix A of the EMBRAER 170/175 MRBR, MRB-1621, Revision 14, dated September 27, 2018 (EMBRAER 170/175 MRB-1621, Revision 14). The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) Within the applicable times specified in EMBRAER 170/175 MRB-1621, Revision 14. For the purposes of this AD, the initial compliance times (identified as "Threshold" or "T" in EMBRAER 170/175 MRB-1621, Revision 14) are expressed in "total flight cycles" or "total flight hours," as applicable. (2) Within 90 days or 600 flight cycles after February 10, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2019-25-16), whichever occurs later. (h) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2022-25-07, with no changes. Except as required by paragraphs (i) and (l) of this AD: After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (n)(1) of this AD. (i) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2022-25-07, with no changes. For Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, and -100 SU airplanes; and Model ERJ 170-200 LR, -200 SU, -200 STD, and -200 LL airplanes: Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, ANAC AD 2022-02-01, dated February 9, 2022 (ANAC AD 2022-02-01). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements for Part 2-Airworthiness Limitation Inspections (ALI) Structures specified in paragraph (g) of this AD only. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (l) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (j) Retained Exceptions to ANAC AD 2022-02-01 (1) Where ANAC AD 2022-02-01 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using January 23, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-25-07). (2) The "Alternative method of compliance (AMOC)" section of ANAC AD 2022-02-01 does not apply to this AD. (3) Where paragraph (b)(1) of ANAC AD 2022-02-01 specifies incorporating all airworthiness limitations in Part 2 of the material specified in paragraph (b)(1) of ANAC AD 2022-02-01, for this AD, do not incorporate the threshold and interval for maintenance review board report (MRBR) task number 57-30-002-0002, "Enhanced Wingtip to Wing Spar Attachments-Internal." Note 1 to paragraph (j)(3): AD 2022-11-51, Amendment 39-22074 (87 FR 33623, June 3, 2022) (AD 2022-11-51), requires, among other actions, incorporating alternate thresholds and intervals for MRBR task number 57-30-002-0002. The airplanes affected by MRBR task number 57-30-002-0002 are identified in paragraph (c) of AD 2022-11-51. (k) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2022-25-07, with no changes. Except as required by paragraph (l) of this AD: After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in paragraph (f) of ANAC AD 2022-02-01. (l) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program Except as specified in paragraph (m) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2023-12-01, effective December 15, 2023 (ANAC AD 2023-12-01). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD. (m) Exceptions to ANAC AD 2023-12-01 (1) Where ANAC AD 2023-12-01 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (c) of ANAC AD 2023-12-01 refers to "no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be used unless the alternative inspection or interval is published in revisions approved by ANAC of the MRB-1621 which are subsequent to Revision 19, dated July 14th, 2023, or approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (d) of this AD," for this AD, replace that text with "no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs may be used unless the alternative action ( e.g., inspection), interval, or CDCCL is published in revisions approved by ANAC of the MRB-1621 which are subsequent to Revision 19, dated July 14th, 2023." (3) This AD does not adopt paragraph (d) of ANAC AD 2023-12-01. (4) Where paragraph (b)(1) of ANAC AD 2023-12-01 specifies incorporating all airworthiness limitations in Part 2 of the service information specified in paragraph (b)(1) of ANAC AD 2023-12-01, for this AD, do not incorporate the threshold and interval for MRBR task number 57-30-002-0002, "Enhanced Wingtip to Wing Spar Attachments-Internal." Note 2 to paragraph (m)(4): AD 2022-11-51, requires, among other actions, incorporating alternate thresholds and intervals for MRBR task number 57-30-002-0002. The airplanes affected by MRBR task number 57-30-002-0002 are identified in paragraph (c) of AD 2022-11-51. (n) 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, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (o) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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. (o) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Joshua Bragg, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 817-222-5366; email joshua.k.bragg@faa.gov. (p) 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. (3) The following material was approved for IBR on March 17, 2025. (i) Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2023-12-01, effective December 15, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following material was approved for IBR on January 23, 2023 (87 FR 77493, December 19, 2022). (i) ANAC AD 2022-02-01, effective February 9, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (5) The following material was approved for IBR on February 10, 2020 (85 FR 453, January 6, 2020). (i) Appendix A-Airworthiness Limitations of EMBRAER 170/175 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), MRB-1621, Revision 14, dated September 27, 2018. (ii) Embraer Temporary Revision (TR) 14-1, dated November 13, 2018, to Part 4-Life-Limited Items, of Appendix A of EMBRAER 170/175 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), MRB-1621, Revision 14, dated September 27, 2018. (6) For ANAC ADs, 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 ANAC AD on the ANAC website at sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp. (7) For Embraer material, contact Embraer S.A., 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; email distrib@embraer.com.br; internet flyembraer.com. (8) 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. (9) 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. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02381 Filed 2-7-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P