[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45707-45709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16275]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0984; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00236-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by an error that was detected in the airplane takeoff 
configuration warning logic. The error prevents the system from 
sounding an aural alert ``No Takeoff Trim'' for the flightcrew. This 
proposed AD would require installation of a new software version of 
engine indication and crew alert system (EICAS), as specified in an 
Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which 
is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 
12, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Aeronautical 
Products Certification Branch (GGCP), Rua Dr. Orlando Feirabend Filho, 
230--Centro Empresarial Aquarius--Torre B--Andares 14 a 18, Parque 
Residencial Aquarius, CEP 12.246-190--S[atilde]o Jos[eacute] dos 
Campos--SP, Brazil; telephone 55 (12) 3203-6600; email [email protected]; 
internet www.anac.gov.br/en/. You may find this material on the ANAC 
website at https://sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp. You 
may find this material on the ANAC website at https://sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp. You may view this 
material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also 
available in the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0984.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0984; or in person at Docket 
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ho-Joon Lim, Aerospace Engineer, Large 
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3405; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0984; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00236-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Ho-
Joon Lim, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, 
International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; telephone 206 231 3405; email [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    ANAC, which is the aviation authority for Brazil, has issued AD 
2022-02-02, effective February 23, 2022 (ANAC AD 2022-02-02) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain 
Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 airplanes.
    This proposed AD was prompted by an error that was detected in the 
airplane takeoff configuration warning logic. The error prevents the 
system from sounding an aural alert ``No Takeoff Trim'' for the 
flightcrew, if the pitch trim is in a position that would not allow a 
safe takeoff (positioned out of the green band indication). The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address the lack of the aural alert ``No Takeoff 
Trim'' to the flightcrew on a possibly misconfigured airplane, which 
could result in loss of airplane controllability. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

[[Page 45708]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    ANAC AD 2022-02-02 specifies procedures for installation of a new 
software version of EICAS.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in ANAC AD 2022-02-02 described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate ANAC AD 2022-02-02 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
ANAC AD 2022-02-02 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this proposed AD. Service information required by ANAC AD 2022-02-02 
for compliance will be available at www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0984 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 41 airplanes 
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $297.50......................             (*)          $297.50       $12,197.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this
  proposed AD.

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included 
all known costs in the cost estimate.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Embraer S.A.: Docket No. FAA-2022-0984; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-00236-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 12, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Ag[ecirc]ncia 
Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD 2022-02-02, 
effective February 23, 2022 (ANAC AD 2022-02-02).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an error that was detected in the 
airplane takeoff configuration warning logic. The error prevents the 
system from sounding an aural

[[Page 45709]]

alert ``No Takeoff Trim'' for the flightcrew, if the pitch trim is 
in a position that would not allow a safe takeoff (positioned out of 
the green band indication). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the lack of sound aural alert ``No Takeoff Trim'' to the flightcrew 
on a possibly misconfigured airplane, which could result in loss of 
airplane controllability.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, ANAC AD 2022-02-02.

(h) Exceptions to ANAC AD 2022-02-02

    (1) Where ANAC AD 2022-02-02 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Alternative methods of compliance (AMOC)'' section of 
ANAC AD 2022-02-02 does not apply to this AD.
    (3) Where paragraph (b) of ANAC AD 2022-02-02 specifies 
acceptable higher software versions, replace ``For higher software 
versions, use the applicable Service Bulletin recommended by the 
Manufacturer'' with ``For higher software versions, use the 
applicable Service Bulletin approved by ANAC and recommended by the 
Manufacturer.''

(i) No Reporting Required

    Although the service information referenced in ANAC AD 2022-02-
02 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or ANAC; or ANAC's 
authorized Designee. If approved by the ANAC Designee, the approval 
must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For ANAC AD 2022-02-02, contact National Civil Aviation 
Agency (ANAC), Aeronautical Products Certification Branch (GGCP), 
Rua Dr. Orlando Feirabend Filho, 230--Centro Empresarial Aquarius--
Torre B--Andares 14 a 18, Parque Residencial Aquarius, CEP 12.246-
190--S[atilde]o Jos[eacute] dos Campos--SP, Brazil; telephone 55 
(12) 3203-6600; email [email protected]; internet www.anac.gov.br/en/. 
You may find this IBR material on the ANAC website at https://sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE. You may view this material 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This 
material may be found in the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0984.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Ho-Joon Lim, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 206-231-3405; email [email protected].

    Issued on July 26, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2022-16275 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P