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

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the electrical connectors of the electric fuel pumps to detect discrepancies, and follow-on corrective actions. This new AD extends the repetitive intervals for the inspections; adds new criteria for replacing discrepant fuel pumps; adds a new requirement for applying anti-corrosion spray; adds a requirement to replace all fuel pumps with improved fuel pumps; and adds repetitive inspections after all six fuel pumps are replaced. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer's development of a new modification that addresses the unsafe condition in the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank or adjacent dry bay, which could result in fire or explosion.