AD 2005-24-02 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes

Models named: EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with Hamilton Sundstrand auxiliary power unit (APU) Model T-62T-40C14 (APS 500R).

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Requirements of AD 2001-10-01 and New Note Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision (f) Within 25 flight hours or 10 days after May 29, 2001 (the effective date of AD 2001-10-01), whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. (1) Install a placard on or near the APU start/stop switch panel that reads: “CAUTION: IN-FLIGHT APU STARTS ARE PROHIBITED” Note 1: Installing a placard in accordance with EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin 145-49-A017, dated April 12, 2001, is acceptable for compliance with the action required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (2) Revise the Limitations section of the AFM to include the information on the placard, as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, and to limit APU starts to ground conditions only. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM. Note 2: Because APU starts are prohibited in flight when an engine-driven generator is inoperative, the APU must be started on the ground in order to dispatch, and the APU must be kept operational for the entire flight. Terminating Requirements of This AD and Optional Action Optional New Limitations for APU Starts (g) Doing the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0017, Change 01, dated June 7, 2001, terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. (1) Measure the gap between the APU and the APU exhaust silencer, install a flush-type APU air inlet frame, and install or replace, as applicable, the placard on or near the APU start/stop switch panel with a placard that reads: “CAUTION: IN-FLIGHT APU STARTS ARE LIMITED TO FLIGHT ENVELOPE UP TO 15KFT/320KIAS (NORMAL APU STARTS) OR 15KFT/200KIAS (BATTERY SUPPORT ONLY)” (2) Revise the Limitations section of the AFM to include the information on the placard specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD to limit APU starts. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM. Remove any existing copy of AD 2001-10-01 from the AFM. Terminating Action for This AD (h) Within 8,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, measure the gap between the APU and the APU exhaust silencer, install a raised-type APU air inlet frame, remove any placard on or near the APU start/stop switch panel that limits APU starts, and reidentify the APU cowling, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0018, Change 04, dated November 26, 2002, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. Doing the actions in paragraph (h) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD, and any copy of AD 2001-10-01 or this AD may be removed from the AFM. Prior to or Concurrent Requirements (i) Prior to or concurrently with the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, install an APU silencer in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0009, Change 09, dated April 12, 2005. Contact the FAA or Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC) (j) If, during the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, any measurement exceeds the limits specified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0017, Change 01, dated June 7, 2001; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0018, Change 04, dated November 26, 2002; as applicable; and the service bulletin specifies to contact EMBRAER: Before further flight, repair per a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the DAC (or its delegated agent). Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (k) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD according to the service bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD. Table 1.—Service Bulletins Acceptable for Compliance EMBRAER service bulletin Change level Date 145-49-0009 03 May 15, 2001. 145-49-0009 04 July 5, 2001. 145-49-0009 05 October 1, 2001. 145-49-0009 06 January 3, 2002. 145-49-0009 07 September 1, 2002. 145-49-0009 08 September 1, 2003. 145-49-0017 Original May 15, 2001. 145-49-0018 03 January 3, 2002. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2001-10-01, amendment 39-12226, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD. Related Information (m) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2001-04-02R2, dated June 29, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (n) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 2.—Material Incorporated by Reference EMBRAER service bulletin Change level Date 145-49-0009 09 April 12, 2005. 145-49-0017 01 June 7, 2001. 145-49-0018 04 November 26, 2002. EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0017, Change 01, dated June 7, 2001, contains the following effective pages:   Page No. Change level shown on page Date shown on page 1, 2 01 June 7, 2001. 3-10 Original May 15, 2001. EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0018, Change 04, dated November 26, 2002, contains the following effective pages:   Page No. Change level shown on page Date shown on page 1, 2 04 November 26, 2002. 3-14 03 January 3, 2002. Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-22972 Filed 11-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by the airplane manufacturer developing modifications that revise or eliminate the need for restrictions to in-flight APU starts. We are issuing this AD to prevent flame backflow into the APU compartment through the eductor during in-flight APU starts, which could result in fire in the APU compartment.