AD 2006-17-01
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Mitsubishi | MU-2B | Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B Series Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Torque transducers that are out of calibration could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities, leading to loss of control in certain situations.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Incorporate power assurance charts into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), inspect the engine torque indication system, and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as required.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B series airplanes, including models MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36, MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-26A, and MU-2B-40, with specific serial number ranges.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to incorporate power assurance charts into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), inspect the engine torque indication system, and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as required. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct torque transducers that are out of calibration. The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 160 (Friday, August 18, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47699-47702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: E6-13441]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD;
Amendment 39-14722; AD 2006-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD
requires you to incorporate power assurance charts into the Limitations
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), inspect the engine torque
indication system, and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as
required. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a
data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and maintenance
of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and
define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part
of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that
exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct torque transducers that are out
of calibration. The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in
degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss
of control of the airplane in certain situations.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 22, 2006.
As of September 22, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.
ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., 4951 Airport
Parkway, Suite 800, Addison, Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 934-5480;
facsimile: (972) 934-5488.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at <a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>. The docket number is FAA-2006-23883; Directorate
Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer,
ASW-150, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193; telephone: (817) 222-5284; facsimile: (817)
222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 21, 2006, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that
would apply to all
[[Page 47700]]
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This proposal
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25120). The NPRM proposed to
detect and correct torque transducers that are out of calibration. The
above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and
poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane
in certain situations.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
and FAA's response to each comment:
Comment Issue No. 1: Revise the Manufacturer Contact Information
Ralph Sorrells, Deputy General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America, Inc., requests that we revise the manufacturer
contact information from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya, Japan,
to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. in Addison Texas.
We agree with the commenter and will incorporate the change into
this final rule AD action.
Comment Issue No. 2: Correct the Date of the Japanese AD
Ralph Sorrells, Deputy General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America, Inc., requests that we correct the date of Japanese
AD No. TCD 4889-98 from October 7, 1998, to November 5, 1998.
We agree with the commenter and will incorporate the change into
this final rule AD action.
Comment Issue No. 3: Remove Long-Body Models From Table 1, Paragraph
(c)(1)
The airplanes described in Table 1, paragraph (c)(1) are short-body
airplanes. Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 are long-body
airplanes.
Ralph Sorrells, Deputy General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America, Inc., requests that we remove reference of the
long-body airplanes from Table 1, paragraph (c)(1).
We agree with the commenter and will incorporate the change into
this final rule AD action.
Comment Issue No. 4: Add the Following Rows to TABLE 3.--AFM INSERTION
PAGES:
Ralph Sorrells, Deputy General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America, Inc., request that we add the following rows to
TABLE 3.--AFM INSERTION PAGES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MU-2B-25........................ AFM, Section 6, Revision 6-19
9, dated January 14,
1999.
MU-2B-26........................ AFM, Section 6, Revision 6-19
9, dated January 14,
1999.
MU-2B-35........................ AFM, Section 6, Revision 6-19
10, dated January 14,
1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We agree with the commenter and will incorporate the change into
this final rule AD action.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed
except for the changes above and minor editorial corrections. We have
determined that these changes and minor corrections:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 397 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per U.S.
airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 work-hours x $80 = $400..................... Not applicable.................. $400 $158,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA is committed to updating the aviation community of expected
costs associated with the MU-2B series airplane safety evaluation
conducted in 2005. As a result of that commitment, the accumulating
expected costs of all ADs related to the MU-2B series airplane safety
evaluation may be found in the Final Report section at the following
Web site: <a href="http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/small_airplanes/cos/mu2_foia_reading_library/">http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/small_airplanes/cos/mu2_foia_reading_library/</a>.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities
[[Page 47701]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed
it in the AD Docket.
You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at
the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2006-17-01 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Amendment 39-14722; Docket
No. FAA-2006-23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on September 22, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD affects the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category:
Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type certificate Models Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A2PC................... MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU- 008 through 312, 314
2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU- through 320, and
2B-25, and MU-2B-26. 322 through 347.
(2) A2PC................... MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, 501 through 651, 653
and MU-2B-36. through 660, and
662 through 696.
(3) A10SW.................. MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, 313SA, 321SA, and
MU-2B-26A, and MU-2B- 348SA through
40. 459SA.
(4) A10SW.................. MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36, 652SA, 661SA, and
MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B- 697SA through
60. 1569SA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is the result of a recent safety evaluation that
used a data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and
maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine
their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their
safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of
unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type
design airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
detect and correct torque transducers that are out of calibration.
The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded
performance and poor handling qualities and lead to loss of control
of the airplane in certain situations.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
Table 2.--Actions/Compliance/Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Incorporate the Within 100 hours The owner/operator
following pages from the time-in-service holding at least a
Airplane Flight Manual (TIS) after private pilot
(AFM) charts listed in September 22, 2006 certificate as
TABLE 3.--AFM INSERTION (the effective date authorized by
PAGES, paragraph (f) of of this AD). section 43.7 of the
this AD, into the Federal Aviation
Limitations Section of the Regulations (14 CFR
FAA-approved AFM. 43.7) may do the
flight manual
changes requirement
of this AD. Make an
entry into the
aircraft records
showing compliance
with this portion
of the AD in
accordance with
section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).
(2) Inspect the engine Within 100 hours TIS (i) For airplanes
torque indication system after September 22, listed in Type
and recalibrate the torque 2006 (the effective Certificate No.
pressure transducers as date of this AD). A2PC follow
required. This inspection Mitsubishi Heavy
requires the use of the Industries, Ltd.
power assurance charts (MHI) MV-2 Service
referenced in paragraph Bulletin No. 233A,
(e)(1) of this AD and in dated January 14,
TABLE 3, paragraph (f) of 1999.
this AD. (ii) For airplanes
listed Type
Certificate No.
A10SW follow MHI
Service Bulletin
No. MV-2 095/77-
002, dated July 15,
1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f) Use the following power assurance charts when doing the
ground check portion of the inspection required in paragraph (e)(2)
of this AD.
Table 3.--AFM Insertion Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date and version of
Model of airplane affected AFM Page number from AFM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) MU-2B.................. AFM, Section 6, 6-34.
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(ii) MU-2B-15.............. AFM, Section 6, 6-19.
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(iii) MU-2B-20............. AFM, Section 6, 6-20.
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(iv) MU-2B-25.............. AFM, Section 6, 6-18 and 6-19
Reissued March 25, 6-19.
1986; and.
AFM, Section 6,
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
[[Page 47702]]
(v) MU-2B-26............... AFM, Section 6, 6-17 and 6-18 6-19.
Reissued March 25,
1986; and.
AFM, Section 6,
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(vi) MU-2B-26A............. AFM, Section 6, 6-17 and 6-18.
Reissued March 25,
1986.
(vii) MU-2B-35............. AFM, Section 6, 6-18 and 6-19
Reissued March 25, 6-19.
1986; and.
AFM, Section 6,
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(viii) MU-2B-36A........... AFM, Section 6, 6-20 and 6-21.
Reissued February
28, 1986.
(ix) MU-2B-40.............. AFM, Section 6, 6-17 and 6-18.
Reissued March 25,
1986.
(x) MU-2B-60............... AFM, Section 6, 6-19 and 6-20.
Reissued September
24, 1985.
(xi) MU-2B-10.............. AFM, Section 6, 6-19.
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
(xii) MU-2B-30............. AFM, Section 6, 6-19.
Revision 10, dated
January 14, 1999.
(xiii) MU-2B-36............ AFM, Section 6, 6-20.
Revision 9, dated
January 14, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: AFM, Section 6, Reissued March 25, 1986 (FAA-approved)
TCDS A10SW. AFM, Section 6, Revision 9 and Revision 10, dated
January 14, 1999 (JCAB-approved).
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
ATTN: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, Fort Worth ACO,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76193; telephone: (817) 222-
5284; facsimile: (817) 222-5960, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(h) Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Airworthiness Directive No. TCD
4889-98, dated November 5, 1998, also addresses the subject of this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MV-2 Service
Bulletins No. 233A, dated January 14, 1999; and No. 095/77-002,
dated July 15, 1998. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of
this service information, contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
America, Inc., 4951 Airport Parkway, Suite 800, Addison, Texas
75001; telephone: (972) 934-5480; facsimile: (972) 934-5488. To
review copies of this service information, go to the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html</a> or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket,
go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at <a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>. The docket number is FAA-2006-23883; Directorate
Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 9, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13441 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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