EASA SIB FA-02-2012
EMBRAER EMB-500 Aeroplanes - Static Port Heating System — Operational Checks
Summary
Flight Alert FA Nº 2/2012 – February 2, 2012 is an operational advisory for owners and operators of Embraer EMB-500 airplanes regarding the static port heating system. It addresses a hidden failure mode in the static port heaters that can cause misleading barometric altitude and airspeed readings on primary flight displays due to ice accretion. The alert provides updated procedures for operational checks to detect and correct this failure.
What Changed
This Flight Alert introduces revised information and maintenance procedures for the static port heating system operational checks, specifically AMM TASK 30-30-00-710-801-A and AMM TASK 30-30-00-710-802-A. It highlights the discovery of a latent failure mode where one heater can fail unnoticed, potentially leading to iced-over static ports without annunciation. The alert also recommends updating maintenance documentation to include these revised tasks.
Why It Matters
This matters because the hidden failure of static port heaters can lead to incorrect barometric altitude and airspeed indications on primary flight displays, which can compromise flight safety. Operators and maintenance teams need to detect and correct these failures proactively to avoid misleading flight data. Compliance ensures continued reliability of critical air data sensors and helps maintain safe flight operations.
What To Do
Owners and operators of Embraer EMB-500 airplanes should perform the operational check of pitot, static, AOA, and P-static heating systems every 24 months using the revised AMM tasks 30-30-00-710-801-A and 30-30-00-710-802-A. Maintenance documentation should be updated as specified in Embraer SNL 500-30-0002 dated January 16, 2012. For further information, stakeholders can contact the Aeronautical Product Certification Branch of ANAC.