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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections of the spring cartridges of the elevator gust lock system to determine if the lock washer projection correctly fits the slots in the cartridge flange, and corrective action if necessary. This action also provides for optional terminating action for certain airplanes. This action is necessary to prevent the elevator from jamming due to the spring cartridges unscrewing in the gust lock system, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.