{"id":"F2008L00643","name":"AD/ERJ-170/3 Amdt 1 - Air Data Smart Probes","slug":"ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72668,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L00643-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Embraer ERJ-170 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Embraer ERJ-170 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Embraer ERJ-170 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/ERJ-170/3 Amdt 1 | Air Data Smart Probes | 4/2008 DM |\n| ------------------- | --------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | ERJ-170( ) model aeroplanes, equipped with air data smart probes part number (P/N) 2015G2H2H-4( ), 2015G2H2H-5( ), 2015G2H2H-6( ) or 2015G2H2H-7( ).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |\n| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Carry out a detailed inspection of the four \"Air Data Smart Probes\" drain holes and remove any accumulated moisture in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin (SB) 170-34-0007, original issue, dated 28 April 2005 or further revisions approved by the Brazilian Agência Nacional de Avição Civil (ANAC).                                                                                                                                                       |\n|                | Note 1: For the purpose of this Directive, a detailed inspection is defined as: \"An intensive examination of a specific item, installation or assembly to detect damage, failure or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.\" |\n|                | The optional installation of air data smart probes P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ) in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Embraer SB 170-34-0018 original issue, dated19 September 2006 or further revisions approved by ANAC, constitutes terminal action to the repetitive inspections.                                                                                                                                                                                |\n|                | 2. Air data smart probes part number (P/N) 2015G2H2H-4( ), 2015G2H2H-5( ), 2015G2H2H-6( ) or 2015G2H2H-7( ) may not be reinstalled on any aeroplane as a replacement for probe P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n|                | Note 2: ANAC AD 2006-05-05R1 refers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |\n| Compliance:    | For Requirement 1 - Either within the next 600 hours time in service (TIS) after the first issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness or within 600 hours TIS after the last inspection in accordance with the original issue of this Directive, which ever occurs first, and thereafter, at intervals that do not exceeds 600 hours TIS until the air data smart probe is replaced by a probe P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ).                                            |\n|                | For Requirement 2 - As of the effective date of this Amendment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 4 April 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n\n| Background: | The ANAC has received reports of moisture being found in the pneumatic passage between the pitot port and the pressure sensors in the air data smart probes. That moisture may freeze and block the sensors, causing erroneous information to the Air Data System. |\n| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n|             | Since this condition may affect the safety of the aeroplane, the original issue of this Directive required the repetitive inspection of the air data smart probes for moisture and, if necessary, the removal of any accumulated moisture.                         |\n|             | This Amendment continues the repetitive inspection of the probes until the probe is optionally replaced with a probe P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ).                                                                                                                           |\n|             | The original issue of this Directive became effective on 4 April 2007.                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Punshon  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n26 February 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ERJ-170/3 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ERJ-170/3 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/ERJ-170/3 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Air Data Smart Probes","sectionType":"part","heading":"Air Data Smart Probes","content":"## Air Data Smart Probes","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4/2008 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"4/2008 DM","content":"## 4/2008 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment preserves the original directive's repetitive-inspection requirement but adds and clarifies two scope-changing elements: (1) it explicitly prohibits reinstalling the older probe part numbers (-4, -5, -6, -7) as replacements for the newer -8 probe from the amendment's effective date (Requirement 2); and (2) it confirms that installing probe P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ) constitutes terminal action that ends the repetitive inspections (Requirement 1). The original directive required repetitive inspections; this amendment keeps those inspections but increases regulatory pressure toward hardware replacement by forbidding reinstallation of the older probes and naming a specific part number as the terminating solution."},"complexity_factors":["Limited length and scope (single-system focus: air data smart probes)","Four affected part numbers listed and one replacement (PNs -4, -5, -6, -7; replacement -8)","One defined inspection type (Note 1 defines \"detailed inspection\")","Cross-references to external documents: Embraer SB 170-34-0007, SB 170-34-0018, and ANAC AD 2006-05-05R1","Conditional logic: repetitive inspections required until replaced by PN -8 (i.e. inspections continue unless terminal action taken)","Single compliance interval (600 hours TIS) — simple recurring timetable"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does**\n\n- This is an airworthiness directive for Embraer ERJ-170 series aeroplanes that have specific models of air data smart probes fitted (part numbers 2015G2H2H-4( ), -5( ), -6( ) or -7( )). (Applicability)\n\n- It requires operators to carry out a \"detailed inspection\" of the four drain holes in each air data smart probe and to remove any moisture found, following the procedures in Embraer Service Bulletin (SB) 170-34-0007 or later ANAC-approved revisions. (Requirement 1; Note 1)\n\n- These inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 600 hours time in service (TIS) until the affected probe is replaced by an alternative probe (P/N 2015G2H2H-8( )). The first inspection is due within 600 hours TIS after the aeroplane first receives an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness, or within 600 hours TIS after the last inspection required by the original directive — whichever comes first. (Compliance)\n\n- The directive also forbids reinstalling the older probe part numbers (-4, -5, -6, -7) as replacements for the newer -8 probe from the effective date of this amendment. (Requirement 2)\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Aircraft operators and maintenance organisations that operate Embraer ERJ-170 aeroplanes fitted with the listed air data smart probe part numbers.\n- Maintenance technicians who must perform the detailed inspections and record compliance.\n- Parts suppliers/manufacturers of the probes, especially suppliers of the P/N 2015G2H2H-8( ) replacement probe.\n\n**Why it matters (mechanics and safety rationale)**\n\n- The regulator (ANAC, referenced in the directive) received reports that moisture can accumulate in the pneumatic passage between the pitot port and the pressure sensors inside the smart probes. That moisture can freeze and block sensors, producing incorrect air-data readings to the aircraft systems. (Background)\n\n- The inspection-and-remove procedure mechanically reduces the short-term risk of moisture-induced sensor blockage by finding and removing water in probe drain holes. Replacing the probe with the -8 part number is defined as \"terminal action\" — it stops the need for repetitive inspections. (Requirement 1; optional replacement stated)\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and how behaviour changes**\n\n- Aircraft operators pay for recurring inspections (labour, downtime) and for purchasing and fitting replacement probes if they choose the terminal fix. Maintenance organisations perform the work under operator instruction.\n\n- The regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority, via this Directive) decides the mandatory actions and compliance intervals; operators decide whether to keep performing recurring inspections or to install the -8 probe to eliminate the recurring work. (Requirement/Compliance)\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs: periodic inspection labour, possible aircraft downtime, and eventual expense to procure and install the replacement -8 probes.\n\n- Incentive: Because replacement with P/N -8 stops the recurring inspections, operators have an economic incentive to buy and install the -8 probes if the purchase and installation cost is lower, in present-value terms, than ongoing inspection costs.\n\n- Supplier effect: Demand for the -8 probe is concentrated (a defined set of affected aircraft), so replacement creates a concentrated benefit to the supplier(s) of the -8 probe. (Requirement 1 — terminal action)\n\n**Implementation and compliance risks**\n\n- Dependence on Embraer Service Bulletin procedures and ANAC approvals means inspections and replacement must follow those referenced documents; any delay in obtaining ANAC-approved revisions could affect how the work is carried out. (Requirement references)\n\n- If replacement -8 probes are in limited supply or costly, operators may face increased downtime or choose to continue repetitive inspections, raising ongoing operational cost.\n\n**Where to look in the instrument for details**\n\n- Applicability (which aircraft and probe part numbers are covered). \n- Requirement 1 (inspection details, reference to Embraer SB 170-34-0007 and definition of \"detailed inspection\") and Requirement 2 (prohibition on reinstalling older probe part numbers).\n- Compliance (timing, intervals, and effective date of the prohibition). \n\nThis is a safety-focused, mechanically specific directive: it mandates inspection and cleanup of moisture in probe drain holes at set intervals and offers an optional hardware replacement that removes the need for those recurring inspections. It shifts ongoing maintenance costs onto operators until they take the one-off action of replacing probes with the newer part number.\n"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive, but it maintains the original scope. The amendment continues the same safety inspection regime while adding the option to permanently resolve the issue through probe replacement. It does not expand beyond the original safety concern regarding moisture in air data smart probes on ERJ-170 aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical subject matter (air data probes on one aircraft series)","Only 2 main requirements with clear compliance deadlines","Minimal cross-referencing (only references to Brazilian aviation authority ANAC and specific Embraer Service Bulletins)","One defined term ('detailed inspection') provided in a note","Straightforward conditional logic (if probe is replaced with -8 version, inspections stop)","Short document length (approximately 400 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires operators of Embraer ERJ-170s fitted with Air Data Smart Probes (PNs 2015G2H2H-4, -5, -6, -7) to inspect and remove moisture from probe drain holes every 600 flight hours per Embraer service guidance, then replace them with the improved “-8” variant to eliminate the issue. It affects aircraft owners and maintenance crews and matters because trapped moisture can freeze, block air-data sensors, and produce dangerous erroneous speed/altitude readings."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes","history":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-erj-170-3-amdt-1-air-data-smart-probes/documents"}}