AD 2012-13-04 Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileria de Aeronáutica S.A. (EMBRAER) Airplanes

Models named: EMB-505. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to the following Empresa Brasileria de Aeronáutica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-505 airplanes certificated in any category. (1) Group 1: Serial numbers (S/Ns) 50500030, 50500033 through 50500037, 50500039, 50500040, 50500044, and 50500046. (2) Group 2: S/Ns 5050004 through 50500029, 50500031, 50500032, 50500038, 50500041 through 50500043, 50500045, 50500047 through 50500059, 50500061, 50500063, 50500065 through 50500068, 50500070, 50500074, and 50500075. (3) Group 3: S/N 50500072. (4) Group 4: S/Ns 50500069, 50500071, and 50500073.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Group 1 airplanes specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: (i) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 3 calendar months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, visually inspect the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) aileron lower skin for the existence of required drain holes. (ii) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD, if the required drain holes do not exist, drill the drain holes. (iii) Within the next 24 months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), rework the ailerons, aileron trim-tabs, aileron horn covers, rudder, rudder trim-tab, elevators, and elevator auto-tab surfaces by drilling additional drain holes. (iv) Do the actions required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD following the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0003, dated November 16, 2011. (v) Do the actions required in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this AD following Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0002, dated February 13, 2012. (2) Group 2 airplanes specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: Within the next 24 months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), rework the ailerons, aileron trim-tabs, aileron horn covers, rudder, rudder trim-tab, elevators, and elevators auto-tab surfaces by drilling additional drain holes. Do the modifications following Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0002, dated February 13, 2012. (3) Group 3 airplanes specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: (i) Within the next 24 months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), rework the rudder, rudder trim-tab, elevators, and elevators auto-tab surfaces by drilling additional drain holes. (ii) Within the next 24 months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the ailerons for the existence of required drain holes. (iii) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, if the required drain holes do not exist, drill the drain holes. (iv) Do the actions required in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this AD following Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0002, dated February 13, 2012. (v) Do the actions required in paragraphs (f)(3)(ii) and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD following Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0004, dated February 16, 2012. (4) Group 4 airplanes specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD: (i) Within the next 24 months after August 6, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the ailerons, elevators, and rudder for the existence of required drain holes. (ii) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this AD, if the required drain holes do not exist, drill the drain holes. (iii) Do the actions required in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) and (f)(4)(ii) of this AD following Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions in EMBRAER Phenom Service Bulletin No. 505-57-0004, dated February 16, 2012.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an inadequate amount of drain holes in the primary control surfaces (rudder, elevator, aileron) and their tab surfaces, which may allow water to accumulate in the control surfaces. We are issuing this AD to prevent unbalanced flight control surfaces and reduced flutter margins, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

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