Story ID: 
AD Covers 624 ERJs
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: An FAA advisory directive issued November 28 requires operators of 624 Embraer ERJ 135s and 145s to check for cracks in their forward fuselage right side s
Word Count: 126
An FAA advisory directive issued November 28 requires operators of 624 Embraer ERJ 135s and 145s to check for cracks in their forward fuselage right side skins and repair any damage discovered. The AD comes in reaction to findings during full-scale fatigue tests by Embraer of damage that could result in rapid cabin decompression. The FAA estimates each airplane will require 60 work hours at a cost of $6,010 each. The FAA refused a request by American Eagle to change the compliance deadline from “prior to the accumulation of 22,000 total flight cycles or within six months after the effective date of this AD (January 2), whichever is later” to “within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.” Nevertheless, Eagle has since said the work will not affect its schedules.