[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41745-41748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25422; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-095-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wire harness and 
the DC fuel pump wire harness to determine if the harnesses are 
properly attached at their respective attachment points and

[[Page 41746]]

properly separated from one another, and performing corrective actions 
if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report that the FQIS wire 
harness may not be properly attached at its attachment points or 
properly separated from the DC fuel pump wire harness. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent chafing between those harnesses or chafing of the 
harnesses against adjacent airplane structure or components, which 
could present a potential ignition source that could result in a fire 
or explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 
343--CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil, for service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
25422; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-095-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Departamento de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (DAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Brazil, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and EMB-145, -145ER, -
145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The DAC advises 
that the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wire harness may not be 
properly attached at its attachment points and may not be properly 
separated from the DC fuel pump wire harness, due to the design of the 
area. This condition, if not corrected, could allow chafing between 
those harnesses or chafing of those harnesses against adjacent airplane 
structure or components, which could present a potential ignition 
source that could result in a fire or explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin 145-28-0025, Revision 04, dated 
November 7, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for a one-
time visual inspection of the FQIS harness and DC fuel pump wire 
harness to determine if the harnesses are properly attached at their 
respective attachment points and properly separated from one another. 
The inspection involves examining the condition of the harness 
attachment points, making sure the harnesses cannot chafe against each 
other or against adjacent structure or components, and making sure that 
the harnesses are not attached to each other. As a corrective action if 
a discrepancy is found, the service bulletin describes procedures for 
rerouting the DC fuel pump wire harness if any harness is not properly 
attached or separated.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DAC mandated 
the service information and issued Brazilian airworthiness directive 
2006-03-01, dated April 19, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Brazil.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in Brazil and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DAC has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined the DAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0025, Revision 04, does not specify 
a corrective action if a broken, frayed, cracked, or damaged wire, or a 
damaged harness, is found. This proposed AD would require that any such 
damage be repaired in accordance with relevant sections of the standard 
wiring practices manual.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 494 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $39,520, or $80 
per airplane.

[[Page 41747]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA-
2006-25422; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-095-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 
23, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all 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.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that the fuel quantity 
indication system (FQIS) wire harness may not be properly attached 
or separated from the DC fuel pump wire harness. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent chafing between those harnesses or chafing of the 
harnesses against adjacent airplane structure or components, which 
could present a potential ignition source that could result in a 
fire or explosion.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspecting Harnesses for Proper Attachment and Separation

    (f) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a one-time general visual inspection of the FQIS wire harness 
and the DC fuel pump wire harness to determine if the harnesses are 
properly attached at their respective attachment points and properly 
separated from one another, and do all applicable corrective 
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0025, Revision 04, dated November 7, 
2005. All applicable corrective actions must be done 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.''

Further Corrective Actions

    (g) If any broken, frayed, cracked, or damaged wire, or a 
damaged harness, is found: Before further flight, repair the damaged 
wire or harness in accordance with relevant sections of the standard 
wiring practices manual.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with one of the service bulletins identified in Table 1 
of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions required by this AD.

                              Table 1.--Previous Issues of the Service Information
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        EMBRAER Service Bulletin                  Revision level                           Date
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145-28-0025.............................  None..........................  April 19, 2004.
145-28-0025.............................  01............................  June 9, 2004.
145-28-0025.............................  02............................  November 8, 2004.
145-28-0025.............................  03............................  April 28, 2005.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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 Sec.  
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

    (j) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2006-03-01, dated April 
19, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 41748]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-11724 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
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