[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 148 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42328-42330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15026]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28855; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-098-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, 
-120QC, and -120RT Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from 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:

    Icing tunnel tests on an EMB-120 wing section, conducted under a 
joint Embraer-NASA-(National Aeronautics and Space Administration) 
FAA-CTA (Centro T[eacute]cnico Aeroespacial) research program well 
after the EMB-120( ) was type-certificated, have shown that stick 
shaker to stick pusher speed margins may drop below the minimum 
required by the applicable regulations in certain icing conditions. 
Although flight tests have shown that the aircraft handling 
qualities are not adversely affected, these reduced speed margins 
may significantly increase crew workload in certain flight phases.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to maintain 
the safe flight and landing of the airplane. The proposed AD would 
require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 4, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28855; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-098-AD'' at the beginning of

[[Page 42329]]

your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this proposed AD based on 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]ao Civil (ANAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Brazil, has issued Brazilian 
Airworthiness Directive 2007-03-03, effective April 10, 2007 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Icing tunnel tests on an EMB-120 wing section, conducted under a 
joint Embraer-NASA--(National Aeronautics and Space Administration) 
FAA-CTA (Centro T[eacute]cnico Aeroespacial) research program well 
after the EMB-120( ) was type-certificated, have shown that stick 
shaker to stick pusher speed margins may drop below the minimum 
required by the applicable regulations in certain icing conditions. 
Although flight tests have shown that the aircraft handling 
qualities are not adversely affected, these reduced speed margins 
may significantly increase crew workload in certain flight phases.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to maintain 
the safe flight and landing of the airplane. The corrective action 
includes modification of certain electrical wiring and installation of 
a new Stall Warning Computer. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletins 120-27-0091, Change 02, dated 
September 29, 2003; and 120-27-0092, Revision 01, dated December 29, 
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 107 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 58 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost up to $2,000 per product, 
depending on airplane configuration. Where the service information 
lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have 
assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not 
control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur 
costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be up to $710,480, or 
$6,640 per product.

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 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 this 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.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA-
2007-28855; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-098-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 4, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -
120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes; certificated in any category.

[[Page 42330]]

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Icing tunnel tests on an EMB-120 wing section, conducted under a 
joint Embraer-NASA--(National Aeronautics and Space Administration) 
FAA-CTA (Centro T[eacute]cnico Aeroespacial) research program well 
after the EMB-120( ) was type-certificated, have shown that stick 
shaker to stick pusher speed margins may drop below the minimum 
required by the applicable regulations in certain icing conditions. 
Although flight tests have shown that the aircraft handling 
qualities are not adversely affected, these reduced speed margins 
may significantly increase crew workload in certain flight phases.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane. The corrective 
action includes modification of certain electrical wiring and 
installation of a new Stall Warning Computer.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Replace the current Stall Warning Computers with new 
improved ones in accordance with detailed instructions and 
procedures described in the Embraer Service Bulletin 120-27-0092, 
Revision 01, dated December 29, 2006.
    (2) Before installing the improved Stall Warning Computers, 
accomplish the detailed instructions and procedures described in the 
Embraer Service Bulletin 120-27-0091, Change 02, dated September 29, 
2003.
    (3) As of 36 months after the effective date of this AD, no 
person may install a Stall Warning Computer; part number C-81806-1 
or -2, Mod. A, or C-81806-3, on any airplane.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2007-03-03, 
effective April 10, 2007; and Embraer Service Bulletins 120-27-0091, 
Change 02, dated September 29, 2003; and 120-27-0092, Revision 01, 
dated December 29, 2006; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager,Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15026 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P