AD 2006-26-11 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 Airplanes

This AD applies to the airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category. Table 1.—Airplanes Affected by This AD EMBRAER Model— As identified in EMBRAER service bulletin— ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes 170-21-0017, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2006. ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, and -100 IGW airplanes 190-21-0003, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2006.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Service Bulletin References (f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as applicable: (1) For the inspections, applicable corrective actions, and reinforcement specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: EMBRAER Service Bulletins 170-21-0017, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2006 (for Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes); and 190-21-0003, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2006 (for Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, and -100 IGW airplanes); and (2) For the replacement specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: EMBRAER Service Bulletins 170-21-0018, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2006 (for Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes); and 190-21-0004, dated December 2, 2005 (for Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, and -100 IGW airplanes). Inspections and Reinforcement (g) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection for damaged smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment; and, following the inspection, before further flight, reinforce around the Velcro fasteners by installing silver tape if no damage is found, and do all applicable corrective actions if any damage is found. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours until the replacement required by paragraph (h) of this AD is done. Where the applicable service bulletin specifies reinforcing around the Velcro fasteners by installing silver tape if no damage is found during the detailed inspection, that reinforcement must be done the first time; it is required again only if damage is found during any repeat inspection. Do all actions in accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. If any damage exceeds the limits specified in the applicable service bulletin: Before further flight, do the replacement in paragraph (h) of this AD. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” Replacement (h) Within 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Replace the smoke seal in the aft avionics compartment with a new, improved seal, having a new part number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. Doing this replacement terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. Parts Installation (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a smoke seal in the aft avionics compartment on any airplane that has part number 170-96563-509, -511, -513, -515, -517, -519, -521, or -523; 171-04768-501, -503, -505, or -507; 190-15062-501, -503, -505, or -507; or 190-15902-501, -503, -505, or -507. Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issues of Service Bulletins (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the applicable service bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. Table 2.—Previous Issues of Service Bulletins EMBRAER service bulletin Date 170-21-0017 December 29, 2005. 170-21-0018 December 2, 2005. 190-21-0003 December 29, 2005. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(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 § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (l) Brazilian airworthiness directives 2006-05-04 (for Model ERJ 170 airplanes) and 2006-05-07 (for Model ERJ 190 airplanes), both effective June 14, 2006, also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use the service information specified in Table 3 of this AD, as applicable, 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 3.—Material Incorporated by Reference EMBRAER service bulletin Revision level Date 170-21-0017 01 February 15, 2006. 170-21-0018 01 February 15, 2006. 190-21-0003 01 February 15, 2006. 190-21-0004 Original December 2, 2005. Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-22464 Filed 1-3-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of damaged smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment of the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent smoke from penetrating into the passenger cabin during a fire in the avionics compartment.