AD 2004-02-02 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; as listed in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 03, dated July 16, 2003; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-34-0002, dated September 23, 2002; certificated in any category.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent ice from damaging the pitot drain valves, which could cause airspeed indication errors, resulting in display of erroneous or misleading information to the flight crew, accomplish the following: Relocation (a) Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Relocate the pitot 1 and pitot 2 drain valves from the nose landing gear compartment to the forward electronic compartment; and install a plug, washers, and a nut to close the hole in the structure where the pitot 1 and pitot 2 drain valves were removed; per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 03, dated July 16, 2003; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-34-0002, dated September 23, 2002; as applicable. Installation (b) After accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD but prior to further flight: Install a new placard and apply sealant on the placard per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 03, dated July 16, 2003; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-34-0002, dated September 23, 2002; as applicable. Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (c) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD per EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, original issue, dated April 23, 2002; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 01, dated September 23, 2002; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 02, dated December 2, 2002; are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD. Incorporation by Reference (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-34-0070, Change 03, dated July 16, 2003; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-34-0002, dated September 23, 2002; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 3, 2004 (69 FR 4057, January 28, 2004). 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian airworthiness directive 2002-06-01R1, dated November 8, 2002. Effective Date (f) The effective date of this amendment remains March 3, 2004. Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 10, 2004. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 04-3492 Filed 2-18-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P