AD 2020-12-12 Prompted By Reports Of Cracks Discovered On The Engine Pylon Inboard Lower Link Lugs

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Yabora Industria Aeronautica S.A. Model ERJ 170 airplanes and Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 ECJ, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracks discovered on the engine pylon inboard lower link lugs. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the engine inboard and outboard engine pylon lower link lugs for cracking, and repair if necessary, as specified in an Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 13, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The ANAC, which is the aviation authority for Brazil, has issued ANAC AD 2020-01-02, effective January 28, 2020 (“ANAC AD 2020-01-02”) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for all Yabora Industria Aeronautica S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Embraer S.A.) Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU, -200 LR, -200 SU, -200 STD, and -200 LL airplanes; and Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 ECJ, -100 IGW, -100 SR, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes.

Model ERJ 190-100 SR airplanes are not certified by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; therefore, this AD does not include those airplanes in the applicability.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Model ERJ 170 airplanes and Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 ECJ, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16016). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks discovered on the engine pylon inboard lower link lugs. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections of the engine inboard and outboard engine pylon lower link lugs for cracking, and repair if necessary, as specified in an ANAC AD.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of the engine pylon lower link lugs, which could cause the loss of engine pylon integrity, and could result in engine separation from the wing, loss of airplane controllability, and possible injury to persons on the ground.

FMI: www.regulations.gov