[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 30, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15126-15127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7689]
[[Page 15126]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-265-AD; Amendment 39-11100; AD 99-02-18 R1]
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; correction.
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SUMMARY: This amendment corrects information in an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-
120 series airplanes, that currently requires removing the thermal
insulating blankets from the upper rear nacelle structure; re-
positioning the engine exhaust duct; and replacing the engine exhaust
bracket with a new engine exhaust bracket, if necessary. For certain
airplanes, that amendment also currently requires installing new
stainless steel plates onto the upper rear nacelle structure. The
actions specified in that AD are intended to prevent fretting of the
titanium thermal insulating blankets, which could result in an
increased risk of fire in the engine exhaust duct of the tail pipe.
This amendment corrects the requirements of the existing AD by
correcting affected spare part numbers of thermal insulating blankets.
This amendment is prompted by review of the requirements of the
existing AD.
DATES: Effective March 3, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of March 3, 1999 (64 FR 4029, January 27, 1999).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda M. Haynes, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center,
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337-2748;
telephone (770) 703-6091; fax (770) 703-6097.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 15, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-
02-18, amendment 39-11012 (64 FR 4029, January 27, 1999), which is
applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120 series airplanes. That AD
requires removing the thermal insulating blankets from the upper rear
nacelle structure; re-positioning the engine exhaust duct; and
replacing the engine exhaust bracket with a new engine exhaust bracket,
if necessary. For certain airplanes, that AD also requires installing
new stainless steel plates onto the upper rear nacelle structure. That
action was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
required by that AD are intended to prevent fretting of the titanium
thermal insulating blankets, which could result in an increased risk of
fire in the engine exhaust duct of the tail pipe.
As published, paragraph (d) of AD 99-02-18 contained two incorrect
references to spare part numbers of thermal insulating blankets. The
first incorrect reference was a typographical error that identified
spare part number ``120035413-001'' as one of the blankets that, as of
the effective date of the AD, shall not be installed on any airplane.
That part number does not exist. The correct part number is identified
in EMBRAER Service Bulletin S.B. 120-54-0035, Change 02, dated May 29,
1998 (which was referenced as the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishment of the required actions) as ``120-35413-
001.''
The second incorrect reference identified a spare part number
(i.e., ``120-35411-002'') that does exist, but corresponds to a thermal
insulating blanket that is not subject the identified unsafe condition
of the AD. The correct spare part number is identified in the
referenced service bulletin as ``120-35413-002.'' Therefore, this
action revises paragraph (d) of the AD to reference the correct spare
part numbers identified above.
Action is taken herein to correct these requirements of AD 99-02-18
and to correctly add the AD as an amendment to section 39.13 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13).
The final rule is being reprinted in its entirety for the
convenience of affected operators. The effective date remains March 3,
1999.
Since this action only corrects a current requirement, it has no
adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person.
Therefore, notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Correction
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
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11012 (64 FR
4029, January 27, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-11100, to read as follows:
99-02-18 R1 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER):
Amendment 39-11100. Docket 98-NM-265-AD. Revises AD 99-02-18,
Amendment 39-11012.
Applicability: Model EMB-120 series airplanes, serial numbers
(S/N) 120003, 120004, and 120006 through 120336 inclusive;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fretting of the titanium thermal insulating blankets,
which could result in an increased risk of fire in the engine
exhaust duct of the tail pipe, accomplish the following:
(a) For airplanes identified in ``Part I'' of the effectivity
listing of EMBRAER Service Bulletin S.B. 120-54-0035, Change 02,
dated May 29, 1998: Within 2,400 flight hours after the effective
date of this AD, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(1) Remove the thermal insulating blankets from the upper rear
nacelle structure.
(2) Install new stainless steel plates onto the upper rear
nacelle structure.
(b) For airplanes identified in ``Part II'' of the effectivity
listing of EMBRAER Service Bulletin S.B. 120-54-0035, Change 02,
dated May 29, 1998: Within 2,400 flight hours after the effective
date of this AD, remove the thermal insulating blankets from the
upper rear nacelle structure in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(c) For all airplanes: Prior to further flight following
accomplishment of either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, as
applicable,
[[Page 15127]]
re-position the engine exhaust duct with the use of shims in
accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin S.B. 120-54-0035, Change
02, dated May 29, 1998. If it is not possible to re-position the
engine exhaust duct with the use of shims as specified in the
service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace the rear exhaust
duct bracket with a new rear exhaust duct bracket, in accordance
with the ``Note'' in paragraph 1.3.1.1 of the Planning section of
the service bulletin.
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a thermal insulating blanket having part number (P/
N) 120-35411-025, -035, -036, 120-35413-001, or 120-35413-002.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895
Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Atlanta ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with EMBRAER Service
Bulletin S.B. 120-54-0035, Change 02, dated May 29, 1998. This
incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51 as of March 3, 1999 (64 FR 4029, January 27, 1999). 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
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification
Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(h) The effective date of this amendment remains March 3, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7689 Filed 3-29-99; 8:45 am]
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