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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes; and Model EMB- 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes, that requires performing repetitive inspections for cracks, ruptures, or bends in certain components of the elevator control system; replacing discrepant components; and, for certain airplanes, installing a new spring cartridge and implementing new logic for the electromechanical gust lock system. The AD also requires eventual modification of the elevator gust lock system to replace the mechanical system with an electromechanical system, which will terminate the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent discrepancies in the elevator control system, which could result in reduced control of the elevator and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.