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 airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The existing AD currently 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 existing AD also requires eventual modification of the elevator gust lock system to replace the mechanical system with an electromechanical system, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD reduces the compliance time for doing the modification. This AD results from additional reports of failure of the mechanical gust lock system to protect the elevator control surfaces and components from high wind gusts. We are issuing this AD to prevent discrepancies in the elevator control system, which could result in reduced control of the elevator and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.