Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 1, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27979-27981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12244]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0476; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00482-T; 
Amendment 39-23068; AD 2025-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a jamming failure of the main door lock sensor. This AD requires 
repetitive main door sensor operational tests, repetitive lubrication 
of the main door sensor mechanism, and on condition actions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.August 5, 2025.

DATES: This AD is effective August 5, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 5, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0476; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil 
(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--S[atilde]o Jos[eacute] dos 
Campos--SP, Brazil; telephone 55 (12) 3203-6600; email anac.gov.br">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.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0476.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hassan Ibrahim, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3653; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Embraer S.A. Model 
EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 26, 2025 (90 FR 13716). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
2024-08-02, effective August 23, 2024 (ANAC AD 2024-08-02) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), issued by ANAC, which is the aviation 
authority for Brazil. The MCAI states there is a possibility of a 
jamming failure of the main door lock sensor.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive main door 
sensor operational tests, repetitive lubrication of the main door 
sensor mechanism, and on condition actions, as specified in ANAC AD 
2024-08-02. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a false indication of 
a locked door, even when it is only latched, resulting in a dormant 
system failure and lack of cockpit indication of the door not locked 
condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an 
in-flight door opening due to an operational failure.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0476.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD

[[Page 27980]]

as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    ANAC AD 2024-08-02 specifies procedures for conducting repetitive 
main door sensor operational tests, repetitive lubrication of the main 
door sensor mechanism, and applicable on condition actions. (The 
effective date of ANAC AD 2024-08-02 did not get translated to English. 
The effective date is August 23, 2024.) On-condition actions include 
adjusting or replacing the sensor or main door locked sensor support 
and contacting Embraer for repair instructions. This material is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 296 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Labor cost              Parts cost        Cost per product              Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 4 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0  Up to $340.................  Up to $100,640.
 = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 7 work-hours x $85 per      Up to $19,845.27..  Up to $20,440.27.
 hour = $595.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2025-13-02 Embraer S.A.: Amendment 39-23068; Docket No. FAA-2025-
0476; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00482-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 5, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a jamming failure of the main door lock 
sensor. This jamming could result in a false indication of a locked 
door, even when it is only latched, resulting in a dormant system 
failure and lack of cockpit indication of the door not locked 
condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a 
door opening in flight due to an operational failure.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

[[Page 27981]]

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o 
Civil (ANAC) AD 2024-08-02, effective August 23, 2024 (ANAC AD 2024-
08-02).

(h) Exceptions to ANAC AD 2024-08-02

    (1) Where ANAC AD 2024-08-02 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where ANAC AD 2024-08-02 specifies on-condition actions, 
this AD requires performing the applicable on-condition actions 
before further flight.
    (3) Where ANAC AD 2024-08-02 specifies to discard parts, this AD 
does not require that action.
    (4) Where paragraph (c) of ANAC AD 2024-08-02 specifies to 
repeat the operational test ``each 12 months'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``at intervals not to exceed 12 months''.
    (5) Where paragraph (e) of ANAC AD 2024-08-02 specifies to 
repeat the lubrication ``each 24 months'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``at intervals not to exceed 24 months''.
    (6) This AD does not adopt paragraph (f) of ANAC AD 2024-08-02.

(i) 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 (j) of this AD and email to: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (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.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hassan Ibrahim, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3653; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) 
AD 2024-08-02, effective August 23, 2024.
    Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2)(i): The effective date of ANAC AD 
2024-08-02 did not get translated to English. The effective date is 
August 23, 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--S[atilde]o 
Jos[eacute] dos Campos--SP, Brazil; telephone 55 (12) 3203-6600; 
email anac.gov.br">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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on June 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12244 Filed 6-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T01:23:35.240859+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

2a3b44f1548669c5e8b1b0a4119d291c73f347ce9e3f8a55fa9408a1d568e0a8

Text SHA-256

9d70552cb3ce0641c915824d939bf96fa031aaac55b565054830f3f08ae32357