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

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135ER and "135LR series airplanes, and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, and -145LR series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to determine if the bonding jumpers that connect the horizontal stabilizer to the vertical stabilizer are properly installed, a one-time inspection to determine if the supports that connect the bonding jumpers to the horizontal stabilizer are deformed, and corrective actions if necessary. This amendment requires new repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of both vertical-to-horizontal stabilizer bonding jumpers and the connecting support structure; and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment also revises the applicability to include additional airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent damaged or severed bonding jumpers, which, in the event of a lightning strike, could result in severed elevator control cables and consequent reduced elevator control capability and reduced controllability of the airplane. This AD is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.