AD 2003-15-05 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120 Series Airplanes

Models named: EMB-120 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model EMB-120 series airplanes, certificated in any category; serial number 120004, and serial numbers 120006 through 120354 inclusive. 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 (f)(1) 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 inadvertent or intentional operation with the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight for airplanes that are not certificated for in-flight operation, which could result in engine overspeed and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 92-16-51 Checks/Inspections (a) For all airplanes: Within 5 days after September 23, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-16-51, amendment 39-8355), and thereafter prior to the first flight of each day until the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD have been accomplished, accomplish paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable: (1) For airplanes on which an inspection window has been installed on the left lateral console panel that permits visibility of the flight idle stop solenoid circuit breakers: Using an appropriate light source, perform a visual check to verify that both “FLT IDLE STOP SOL” circuit breakers CB0582 and CB0583 for engine 1 and engine 2 are closed. Note 2: This check may be performed by a flightcrewmember. Note 3: Instructions for installation of an inspection window can be found in EMBRAER Information Bulletin 120-076-0003, dated November 19, 1991; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-076-0014, dated July 29, 1992. (2) For airplanes on which an inspection window has not been installed on the left lateral console panel: Perform a visual inspection to verify that both “FLT IDLE STOP SOL” circuit breakers CB0582 and CB0583 for engine 1 and engine 2 are closed. (b) As a result of the check or inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD: If circuit breakers CB0582 and CB0583 are not closed, prior to further flight, reset them and perform the functional test specified in paragraph (c) of this AD. Functional Test (c) Within 5 days after September 23, 1992, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 75 hours time-in-service, or immediately following any maintenance action where the power levers are moved with the airplane on jacks, until the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD have been accomplished, conduct a functional test of the backup flight idle stop system for engine 1 and engine 2 by performing the following steps: (1) Move both power levers to the “MAX” position. (2) Turn the aircraft power select switch on. (3) Open both “AIR/GROUND SYSTEM” circuit breakers CB0283 and CB0286 to simulate in-flight conditions with weight-off-wheels. Wait for at least 15 seconds, then move both power levers back toward the propeller reverse position with the flight idle gate triggers raised. Verify that the power lever for each engine cannot be moved below the flight idle position, even though the flight idle gate trigger on each power lever is raised. (4) If the power lever can be moved below the flight idle position, prior to further flight, restore the backup flight idle stop system to the configuration specified in EMBRAER 120-076-0009, Change No. 4, dated November 1, 1990; and perform a functional test. Note 4: If the power lever can be moved below flight idle, this indicates that the backup flight idle stop system is inoperative. (5) Move both power levers to the “MAX” position. (6) Close both “AIR/GROUND SYSTEM” circuit breakers CB0283 and CB0286. Wait for at least 15 seconds, then move both power levers back toward the propeller reverse position with the flight idle gate triggers raised. Verify that the power lever for each engine can be moved below the flight idle position. (7) If either or both power levers cannot be moved below the flight idle position, prior to further flight, inspect the backup flight idle stop system and the flight idle gate system, and accomplish either paragraph (c)(7)(i) or (c)(7)(ii) of this AD, as applicable: (i) If the backup flight idle stop system is failing to disengage with weight-on-wheels, prior to further flight, restore the system to the configuration specified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-076-0009, Change No. 4, dated November 1, 1990. (ii) If the flight idle gate system is failing to open even though the trigger is raised, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the EMBRAER Model EMB-120 maintenance manual. (8) Turn the power select switch off. The functional test is completed. New Requirements of This AD Terminating Action (d) Within 18 months or 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, modify the secondary flight idle stop system (SFISS), as required by paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or (d)(3) of this AD; as applicable. Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (1) For airplanes having serial number 120004, and serial numbers 120006 through 120067 inclusive, and 120069 through 120344 inclusive; as listed in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 04, dated March 30, 2001: Accomplish the actions required by either paragraph (d)(1)(i) or (d)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) If the actions specified by EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 01, dated September 9, 1999; or Change 02, dated November 22, 1999; have not been accomplished: Modify the SFISS per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 03, dated May 26, 2000; or Change 04, dated March 30, 2001; or (ii) If the actions specified by EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 01 or Change 02 have been accomplished: Perform additional inspections per Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 04. (2) For the airplane having serial number 120068: Modify the SFISS per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0015, Change 06, dated October 3, 2000. (3) For airplanes having serial numbers 120345 through 120354 inclusive: Modify the SFISS per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0022, Change 01, dated October 9, 2000; or Change 02, dated February 8, 2001. Note 5: This AD references the following service information for applicability, inspection, and modification information: EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0015, Change 06, dated October 3, 2000; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 01, dated September 9, 1999; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 02, dated November 22, 1999; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 04, dated March 30, 2001; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0022, Change 01, dated October 9, 2000; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0022, Change 02, dated February 8, 2001. In addition, this AD specifies compliance-time requirements beyond those included in Brazilian airworthiness directive 90-07-04R4, dated October 4, 1999; and the service information. Where there are differences between this AD and previously referenced documents, this AD prevails. Note 6: Accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD does not remove or otherwise alter the requirement to perform the repetitive (400-flight-hour) CAT 8 task checks specified by the Maintenance Review Board. Corrective Actions (e) During any visual check or inspection required by this AD, if any countersunk-head bolt was not used to attach the power control cable to the bellcrank, or if any hex-head bolt was used to attach the cable to the bellcrank: Prior to further flight, repair per a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC) (or its delegated agent). Accomplishment of the repair per EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0018, Change 06, dated August 9, 2002; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-76-0022, Change 03, dated August 9, 2002; as applicable; is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. Alternative Methods of Compliance (f)(1) 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, International Branch, ANM-116. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the International Branch, ANM-116. (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously for paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of AD 92-16-51, are considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with the inspection requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD. No alternative methods of compliance have been approved per AD 92-16-51 as terminating action for this AD. Note 7: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. Special Flight Permits (g) Special flight permits may be issued per 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. Incorporation by Reference (h) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable EMBRAER service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD as follows: Table 1.—Applicable Service Bulletins Service bulletin Page numbers Change number shown on page Date shown on page 120-076-0009, Change No. 4, November 1, 1990 1-87 4 November 1, 1990 120-76-0015, Change 06, October 3, 2000 1-44 06 October 3, 2000 120-76-0018, Change 03, May 26, 2000 1-117 03 May 26, 2000 120-76-0018, Change 04, March 30, 2001 1-117 04 March 30, 2001 120-76-0018, Change 06, August 9, 2002 1, 2, 7-10, 13-26, 31, 32, 115-119 06 August 9, 2002   5, 6 04 March 30, 2001   3, 4, 11, 12, 27-30, 33-114 03 May 26, 2000 120-76-0022, Change 01, October 9, 2000 1-43 01 October 9, 2000 120-76-0022, Change 02, February 8, 2001 1, 2, 43 02 February 8, 2001   3-42 01 October 9, 2000 120-76-0022, Change 03, August 9, 2002 1 02 February 8, 2001   2, 8, 14, 15, 17-19, 27, 28, 34-36, 42-45 03 August 9, 2002   3-7, 9-13, 16, 20-26, 29-33, 37-41 01 October 9, 2000 (1) The incorporation by reference of EMBRAER service bulletins 120-76-0015, Change 06; 120-76-0018, Change 03; 120-76-0018, Change 04; 120-76-0018, Change 06; 120-76-0022, Change 01; 120-76-0022, Change 02; and 120-76-0022, Change 03; as stated in the table above; is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The incorporation by reference of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-076-0009, Change No. 4, dated November 1, 1990, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 23, 1992 (57 FR 40838, September 8, 1992). (3) 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 8: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian airworthiness directive 90-07-04R4, dated October 4, 1999. Effective Date (i) This amendment becomes effective on September 4, 2003. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 22, 2003. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-19055 Filed 7-30-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P