AD 2008-02-02

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

It has been found that the implementation of the Inertial Reference Units (IRU) on the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190] may lead, in certain degraded modes, to an erroneous Flight Path Angle (FPA) indication on both Primary Flight Displays, with no alert to the flight crew. On the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190], FPA is considered as important as pitch and bank angle for piloting purposes.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the flight path of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

2008-02-02 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Amendment 39-15332. Docket No. FAA-2007-0082; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-219-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 20, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, - 100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-34-0019, dated February 26, 2007; and Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes; certificated in any category, as identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 190-34-0009, Revision 01, dated October 9, 2007.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34: Navigation.

Reason

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

It has been found that the implementation of the Inertial Reference Units (IRU) on the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190] may lead, in certain degraded modes, to an erroneous Flight Path Angle (FPA) indication on both Primary Flight Displays, with no alert to the flight crew. On the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190], FPA is considered as important as pitch and bank angle for piloting purposes.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the flight path of the airplane. The corrective action is removal of certain wiring connections in the electrical connectors of both IRUs.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already done, remove the wiring connections from pins 51 and 52 in the electrical connectors of both IRUs, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-34-0019, dated February 26, 2007; or 190-34-0009, Revision 01, dated October 9, 2007; as applicable. Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 190-34-0009,dated February 26, 2007, are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; 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) AirworthyProduct: 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 Directives 2007-08-03 and 2007-08-04, both effective August 27, 2007, and to EMBRAER Service Bulletins 170-34-0019, dated February 26, 2007; and 190-34- 0009, Revision 01, dated October 9, 2007; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use the serviceinformation specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(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), P.O. Box 343-CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos-SP, Brazil.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html .

Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference -

EMBRAER Service Bulletin
Revision Level
Date
170-34-0019
Original
February 26, 2007
190-34-0009
01
October 9, 2007

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 25, 2007 (72 FR 60599). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

It has been found that the implementation of the Inertial Reference Units (IRU) on the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190] may lead, in certain degraded modes, to an erroneous Flight Path Angle (FPA) indication on both Primary Flight Displays, with no alert to the flight crew. On the ERJ-170 [and ERJ-190], FPA is considered as important as pitch and bank angle for piloting purposes.

The unsafe condition is reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the flight path of the airplane. The corrective action is removal of certain wiring connections in the electrical connectors of both IRUs. You may obtain further information by examining theMCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Revision to Final Rule for New Service Information

EMBRAER has issued a revision to a service bulletin identified in the NPRM as an appropriate source of service information for the AD. EMBRAER Service Bulletin 190-34-0009, Revision 01, dated October 9, 2007, incorporates an existing information notice that revises the wiring manual reference, and adds a serial number to the effectivity of the in-production airplanes that have an equivalent modification. We have changed paragraphs (c) and (f) of this AD accordingly, and added a statement in paragraph (f) giving credit for work performed in accordance with the original version of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

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 required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect about 108 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with the basicrequirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $62 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. 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 this AD to the U.S. operators to be $58,536, or $542 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 AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:

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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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: