AD 2020-12-08 Requires Inspections Of Flight Control Surfaces

The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-20-01 for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (now Embraer S.A.) Model EMB-505 airplanes. AD 2011-20-01 required replacing the bolts that attach the balance mass weights to the elevator structure.

This AD requires inspections of the mass-balance weights of the elevators, ailerons, and rudder (flight control surfaces) and their attachment parts and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the airworthiness limitation section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion in the mass-balance weights of the flight control surfaces, and a determination that new airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective July 1, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued AD 2011-20-01, Amendment 39-16810 (76 FR 59240, September 26, 2011) (“AD 2011-20-01”), for certain serial-numbered Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (now Embraer S.A.) Model EMB-505 airplanes. AD 2011-20-01 required replacing the bolts that attach the balance mass weights to the elevator structure. AD 2011-20-01 resulted from a determination that there was a possibility of freeplay between the mass-balance weight and the elevator structure. AD 2011-20-01 was prompted by MCAI issued by the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), which is the aviation authority for Brazil. The FAA issued AD 2011-20-01 to address this condition which, if not corrected, could lead to elevator flutter and loss of airplane control.

FMI: www.regulations.gov