Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33557-33558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13335]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-79-AD; Amendment 39-13671; AD 2004-12-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model EMB-120 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120 series airplanes. This 
action requires repetitive inspections for cracks or evidence of 
damage/distortion of the anti-skid drive coupling clips for the hubcaps 
of the main landing gear (MLG) wheels; repetitive measurement of the 
gap and height dimensions of the coupling clips; corrective actions, if 
necessary; and eventual replacement of all coupling clips with new, 
improved coupling clips. This action is necessary to prevent excessive 
gaps in the anti-skid drive coupling clips for the hubcaps of the MLG, 
which could result in momentary loss of the normal braking system at 
low speeds, and reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 21, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 21, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. 
Box 343--CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil. This information 
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2004 
(69 FR 17984). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections 
for cracks or evidence of damage/distortion of the anti-skid drive 
coupling clips for the hubcaps of the main landing gear (MLG) wheels; 
repetitive measurement of the gap and height dimensions of the coupling 
clips; corrective actions, if necessary; and eventual replacement of 
all coupling clips with new, improved coupling clips.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 220 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD.
    It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required general visual inspection and measurement of dimensions 
``G'' and ``H,'' at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the general visual inspection and 
measurement of dimensions ``G'' and ``H'', on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $28,600, or $130 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to do the 
required replacement of the coupling clips, at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $600 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $146,300, or $665 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 33558]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-12-12 Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer): 
Amendment 39-13671. Docket 2003-NM-79-AD.

    Applicability: Model EMB-120 series airplanes having serial 
numbers 120003, 120004, and 120006 through 120359 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent excessive gaps in the anti-skid drive coupling clips 
for the hubcaps of the main landing gear (MLG), which could result 
in momentary loss of the normal braking system at low speeds, and 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

General Visual Inspection, Measurement of Clip Dimensions, and 
Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 400 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual inspection 
for cracks or evidence of damage/distortion of the anti-skid drive 
coupling clips for the MLG wheel hubcap; and measure the ``G'' (gap) 
and ``H'' (height) dimensions of the coupling clips; and do any 
applicable corrective action; per the Accomplishment Instructions of 
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-32-0088, Revision 01, dated October 1, 
2003. Any applicable corrective action must be done prior to further 
flight per the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection and dimension 
measurement thereafter at every wheel change or wheel speed 
transducer change.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Replacement of Coupling Clips

    (b) Within 800 flight hours or 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace any anti-skid drive 
coupling clip for the MLG wheel hubcap that was not previously 
replaced per paragraph (a) of this AD, with a new, improved part 
specified in and per Part III of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-32-
0088, Revision 01, dated October 1, 2003. Repeat the applicable 
actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at every 
wheel change or wheel speed transducer change.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an anti-skid drive coupling clip, part number 40-91115, on any 
airplane, unless the part number is identified as 40-91115 REV. D.

Credit for Actions Done per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (d) Accomplishment of the specified actions before the effective 
date of this AD per EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-32-0088, dated 
November 18, 2002, is considered acceptable for compliance with the 
applicable requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-32-0088, 
Revision 01, dated October 1, 2003. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343--CEP 
12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil. Copies may be inspected at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington; or 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.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian 
airworthiness directive 2003-01-01, dated February 6, 2003.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 21, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13335 Filed 6-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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