AD 2005-25-16 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 Airplanes

Models named: ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to EMBRAER Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, and -100 SU airplanes, certificated in any category; having serial numbers 17000007 through 17000013 inclusive, 17000015, 17000016, and 17000018 through 17000043 inclusive.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection and Modification if Necessary (f) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection of the passenger seat track attachments to determine if the attachment rod is installed and to check the torque value of the attachment bolts, and do any applicable corrective actions, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-53-0010, dated January 12, 2005. Do any applicable corrective actions before further flight. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “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 from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight 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.” Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(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. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-53-0010, dated January 12, 2005, 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 this document 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. Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 2005. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-23903 Filed 12-13-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from the finding of missing rods, which attach the passenger seat tracks to the airplane structure to absorb loads. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing attachment rods, which could result in reducing the ability of the seat to withstand a hard landing or rejected takeoff and possible injury to passengers.