AD 2001-10-15 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and -145 Series Airplanes

Models named: EMB-135, -145 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers listed in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-26-0009, dated January 26, 2001. 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 (b) 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.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent the issuance of erroneous commands or the receipt of erroneous information pertaining to the fire extinguishing system for the engines and the auxiliary power unit (APU), resulting in the inability to put out a fire in an engine or in the APU, accomplish the following: Inspection (a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect incorrect wiring of electrical connectors to the pressure switches and cartridges on the fire extinguisher bottles for the engines and the APU, in accordance with paragraph 3.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-26-0009, dated January 26, 2001. Note 2: 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 under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, 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.” (1) If the wiring connections are correct: Prior to further flight, adjust the length of the harnesses to the fire extinguisher bottles, in accordance with the service bulletin. (2) If the wiring connections are incorrect: Prior to further flight, re-connect them and adjust the length of the harnesses to the fire extinguisher bottles, in accordance with the service bulletin. Alternative Methods of Compliance (b) 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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. Special Flight Permits (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 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. Incorporation by Reference (d) The inspection, reconnection, and adjustment shall be done in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-26-0009, dated January 26, 2001. 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 FAA, Atlanta ACO, 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. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian airworthiness directive 2001-04-01, dated April 23, 2001. Effective Date (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 8, 2001. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 17, 2001. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-12986 Filed 5-23-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P