Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and Model EMB-145 series airplanes. The existing AD currently 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. The existing AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections for certain airplanes. This AD retains the requirements of the existing AD and adds a requirement for final terminating action for all affected airplanes. This AD results from reports of an improperly fitting lock washer causing the clevis of the spring cartridge in the electromechanical elevator gust lock system to become unscrewed. We are issuing this AD to prevent the unscrewing of the spring cartridge clevis from jamming the elevator, which could lead to reduced controllability of the airplane.