AD 2011-21-15

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 23, 2011.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with titanium auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall part number (P/N) 145-47494-401, 145-26850-401, 145-26850-601, or 145-47494-403.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

This [Brazilian] AD results from reports of cracking in the firewall of the auxiliary power unit (APU). This AD is being issued to detect and correct this cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and empennage in the event that a fire penetrates through the firewall of the APU.

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

(g) Within 3,300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection for cracking of the rearward and forward face of the APU firewall, including its attachment to the fuselage, removing neither the structural reinforcements nor the dampers, in accordance with Task 05-20-47-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, and Task 05-20-57-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-57, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 54, dated April 28, 2011.

(1) If no cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,600 flight hours, until the terminating action specified in paragraph (h) of this AD has been accomplished.

(2) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair in accordance with Subject 53-32-13, Rear Fuselage II—APU Firewall, of Chapter 53, Fuselage, of the EMBRAER EMB135, ERJ140, EMB145, Structural Repair Manual, SRM-145/1142, Revision 43, dated December 1, 2010; or in accordance with a method approved by the International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) (or its delegated agent). Within 6,600 flight hours after doing the repair, do the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD and repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,600 flight hours, until the terminating action specified in paragraph (h) of this AD has been accomplished.

Note 1:

For the purpose 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 mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”

(h) Replacing the APU firewall having P/N 145-47494-401, 145-26850-401, 145-26850-601, or 145-47494-403, with a new APU firewall having P/N 145-47494-607, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-53-0062, Revision 07, dated May 27, 2011, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.

(i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Task 05-20-47-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 53, dated October 28, 2010, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified in table 1 of this AD, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD.

Note 2:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows:

(1) The MCAI AD does not specify how to do the inspection for cracking. This AD requires doing a detailed inspection of the rearward and forward face of the APU firewall, including its attachment to the fuselage, in accordance with Task 05-20-47-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, and Task 05-20-57-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-57, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 54, dated April 28, 2011.

(2) Where Subjects 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, and 5-20-57, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 54, dated April 28, 2011, specify an internal general visual inspection, this AD requires a detailed inspection.

(k) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(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.

(l) Refer to MCAI ANAC Airworthiness Directive 2010-06-03R1, dated September 20, 2010; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-53-0062, Revision 07, dated May 27, 2011; Task 05-20-47-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, and Task 05-20-57-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-57, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 54, dated April 28, 2011; and Subject 53-32-13, Rear Fuselage II—APU Firewall, of Chapter 53, Fuselage, of the EMBRAER EMB135, ERJ140, EMB145, Structural Repair Manual, SRM-145/1142, Revision 43, dated December 1, 2010; for related information.

(m) You must use Task 05-20-47-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-47, Rear Fuselage II—Aft of Rear Pressure Bulkhead—Internal, and Task 05-20-57-200-801-A, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal General Visual Inspection, of Subject 5-20-57, Rear Fuselage II—Tail Cone Fairing—Internal, of Chapter 5, Time Limits Maintenance Checks, of EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Part II, AMM-145/1124, Revision 54, dated April 28, 2011; and Subject 53-32-13, Rear Fuselage II—APU Firewall, of Chapter 53, Fuselage, of the EMBRAER EMB135, ERJ140, EMB145, Structural Repair Manual, SRM-145/1142, Revision 43, dated December 1, 2010; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the optional terminating action specified in this AD, you must use EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-53-0062, Revision 07, dated May 27, 2011, to do those actions, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The revision level of the EMBRAER EMB145 Aircraft Maintenance Manual AMM-145/1124 is specified on only the title page and Chapter 5 List of Effective Pages of this document; the Chapter 5 title page of this document does not contain a revision level or date. The revision level of the EMBRAER EMB135, ERJ140, EMB145, Structural Repair Manual SRM-145/1142 is specified on only the title page and Chapter 53 List of Effective pages of this document; the Chapter 53 title page does not contain a revision level or date.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), Technical Publications Section (PC 060), Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170—Putim—12227-901 São Jose dos Campos—SP—BRASIL; telephone +55 12 3927-5852 or +55 12 3309-0732; fax +55 12 3927-7546; e-mail distrib@embraer.com.br; Internet: http://www.flyembraer.com.

(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.