2023-18119. 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. (Embraer) Model EMB–505 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by analysis of certain monuments (the right-hand refreshment center and left-hand forward cabinet) that identified the need for installing structural reinforcements and replacing certain floor support rivets. This proposed AD would require installing structural reinforcements on certain monuments and replacing certain floor support rivets, as specified in an Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by October 10, 2023.

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 regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: [phone].

• 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.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1717; 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For service information that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM, contact ANAC, Continuing Airworthiness Technical Branch (GTAC), Rua Doutor Orlando Feirabend Filho, 230—Centro Empresarial Aquarius—Torre B—Andares 14 a 18, Parque Residencial Aquarius, CEP 12.246–190—São José dos Campos—SP, Brazil; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: anac.gov.br/en/. You may find this material on the ANAC website at sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1717.

• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

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–2023–1717; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00728–A” 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 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 Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The ANAC, which is the aviation authority for Brazil, has issued ANAC AD 2023–05–03, effective June 2, 2023 (ANAC AD 2023–05–03) (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-numbered Embraer Model EMB–505 airplanes. The MCAI states that analysis identified certain monuments (the right-hand refreshment center and left-hand forward cabinet) that might not withstand the loads expected for specific emergency landing conditions, which may cause the detachment of mass items and result in injuries to the airplane occupants. To address this unsafe condition, the MCAI specifies installing structural reinforcements on certain monuments and replacing applicable floor support rivets.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1717.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed ANAC AD 2023–05–03, which specifies procedures for installing structural reinforcements on certain monuments and replacing applicable fasteners on the floor support.

This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES .

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this 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 on 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 2023–05–03 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.”

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

The service information specified in ANAC AD 2023–05–03 allows the use of alternative or similar parts in place of the ones specified in the kits, provided these alternative or similar parts are approved by Embraer, but this proposed AD would require approval from either the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; ANAC; or ANAC's authorized Designee.

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 2023–05–03 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with ANAC AD 2023–05–03 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.” Service information required by ANAC AD 2023–05–03 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1717 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 208 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Airplane groups 1 and 2—install structural reinforcements	21.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,827.50	$1,600	$3,427.50	$239,925 (70 airplanes).
Airplane groups 3, 4, 5, and 10—install structural reinforcements and replace floor fasteners	13.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,147.50	600	1,747.50	$214,942.50 (123 airplanes).
Airplane groups 6 and 8—install structural reinforcements and replace floor fasteners	25.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,167.50	2,000	4,167.50	$37,507.50 (9 airplanes).
Airplane group 7—install structural reinforcements	19.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,657.50	1,600	3,257.50	$16,287.50 (5 airplanes).
Airplane group 9—install structural reinforcements	13.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,147.50	1,600	2,747.50	$2,747.50 (1 airplane).

The FAA estimates the following costs for operators that did the actions in the original version of Embraer Service Bulletin SB505–25–0046, dated March 31, 2021. The agency has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these actions:

On-Condition Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Inspect floor fasteners	8.50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $722.50	$50	$772.50
Replace floor fasteners	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	50	135

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, all of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.

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

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

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

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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

Embraer S.A.: Docket No. FAA–2023–1717; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–00728–A.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by October 10, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Embraer S.A. Model EMB–505 airplanes, as identified in Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2023–05–03, effective June 2, 2023 (ANAC AD 2023–05–03), certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by analysis of certain monuments (the right-hand refreshment center and left-hand forward cabinet) that identified the need for installing structural reinforcements and replacing applicable floor support rivets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a monument not withstanding the loads expected for specific emergency landing conditions, which may cause the detachment of mass items and result in injuries to the airplane occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

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 2023–05–03.

(h) Exceptions to ANAC AD 2023–05–03

(1) Where ANAC AD 2023–05–03 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) The service information referenced in ANAC AD 2023–05–03 allows the use of alternative or similar parts in place of the ones specified in the kits, provided that these alternative or similar parts are approved by Embraer. This AD requires approval from either the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; ANAC; or ANAC's authorized Designee. If approved by the ANAC Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(3) Where the service information referenced in ANAC AD 2023–05–03 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.

(4) This AD does not adopt paragraph (d) of ANAC AD 2023–05–03.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in ANAC AD 2023–05–03 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

The Manager, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k) of this AD or email to: [e-mail]. If mailing information, also submit information by email. 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.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

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

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil AD 2023–05–03, effective June 2, 2023.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For ANAC AD 2023–05–03, contact National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Continuing Airworthiness Technical Branch (GTAC), Rua Doutor Orlando Feirabend Filho, 230—Centro Empresarial Aquarius—Torre B—Andares 14 a 18, Parque Residencial Aquarius, CEP 12.246–190—São José dos Campos—SP, Brazil; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: anac.gov.br/en/. You may find this material on the ANAC website at sistemas.anac.gov.br/certificacao/DA/DAE.asp.

(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.

(5) You may view this 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, email: [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on August 17, 2023.

Victor Wicklund,

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.