Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes, that currently requires various inspections to detect discrepancies of the elevator servo tab and spring tab hinge fittings of the horizontal stabilizer, and follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment clarifies certain fiberscopic inspection and replacement procedures, and corrective actions; revises the applicability of the existing AD; and adds an inspection procedure for the servo tab center hinge fittings to detect the presence of washers for both attaching fasteners, and follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the linkage of the elevator servo tab or spring tab hinge fittings from separating from the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.