Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 114 (Thursday, June 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32773-32774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11201]



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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 114 / Thursday, June 14, 2007 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 32773]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27753; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-022-AD; 
Amendment 39-15096; AD 2007-12-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    It has been found that the fuel quantity probes harnesses 
installed in the left and right wing stub tanks on some Embraer ERJ-
170( ) aircraft models may not be protected in accordance with RBHA/
FAR (Regulamento Brasileiro de Homologac[atilde]o 
Aeron[aacute]utica/Federal Aviation Regulation) 25.981(a) and (b) 
requirements.

    The unsafe condition is potential ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 19, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2007 (72 FR 
16747). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    It has been found that the fuel quantity probes harnesses 
installed in the left and right wing stub tanks on some Embraer ERJ-
170( ) aircraft models may not be protected in accordance with RBHA/
FAR (Regulamento Brasileiro de Homologac[atilde]o 
Aeron[aacute]utica/Federal Aviation Regulation) 25.981(a) and (b) 
requirements.

    The unsafe condition is potential ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. The MCAI 
requires inspection of the fuel quantity probes harnesses and correct 
reassembly if necessary. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 76 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 27 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $164,160, or $2,160 per product.

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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that

[[Page 32774]]

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

    We determined that 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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:

2007-12-18 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): 
Amendment 39-15096. Docket No. FAA-2007-27753; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-NM-022-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 19, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -
100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes; 
certificated in any category; serial numbers 17000005 through 
17000013, 17000015, 17000016, 17000018 through 17000116, 17000118, 
and 17000119.

Subject

    (d) Fuel.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    It has been found that the fuel quantity probes harnesses 
installed in the left and right wing stub tanks on some Embraer ERJ-
170( ) aircraft models may not be protected in accordance with RBHA/
FAR (Regulamento Brasileiro de Homologac[atilde] to 
Aeron[aacute]utica/Federal Aviation Regulation) 25.981(a) and (b) 
requirements.

    The unsafe condition is potential ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could 
result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. 
The MCAI requires inspection of the fuel quantity probes harnesses 
and correct reassembly if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, unless already done, make an inspection in the fuel quantity 
probes harnesses installed on both wings and reassemble them, as 
applicable, as described in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-28-0011, 
dated April 26, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Todd 
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer; International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2007-01-02, 
effective January 15, 2007; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-28-
0011, dated April 26, 2006; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-28-0011, dated 
April 26, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343--CEP 
12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil.
    (3) You may review copies 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-11201 Filed 6-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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