Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes
Key claim: The FAA is issuing a new airworthiness directive requiring operational checks and on-condition actions for pitch trim actuator failures on Embraer EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes.
Abstract
(Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of in-service pitch trim actuator failures on one load path. This AD requires an operational check of the pitch trim actuator of the horizontal stabilizer, an option to do a pitch trim verification, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Pitch trim actuator failures affect longitudinal control authority, making this AD a safety-relevant fix for a specific in-service failure mode on Embraer business jets. It fits the routine pattern of FAA ADs translating manufacturer or operator reports of component failures into mandatory operator actions.