[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3965]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-50-AD; Amendment 39-8836; AD 94-04-16]

 

Airworthiness Directives: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., MU-
2B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi), MU-
2B series airplanes. This action requires reducing the maximum 
deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree 
range. Analysis of service history on the affected airplanes has 
revealed one accident and two incidents where the existing elevator 
nose-down trim deflection caused excessive control wheel force. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive control 
wheel force caused by extreme elevator nose-down trim deflection, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 11, 1994.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10, 
Oyecho, Minato-Ku, Nagoya, Japan. This information may also be examined 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. William Roberts, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 3229 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California 90806; telephone (310) 988-5228; facsimile (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an AD that would apply to certain 
Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on December 14, 1992 (57 FR 58999). The action proposed to require 
reducing the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-
degree to 3-degree range. The proposed action would be accomplished in 
accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 
11, 1992.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the one comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed action, but recommends that, to 
eliminate any applicability questions from the field, the FAA issue one 
AD to cover the Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes covered under two FAA 
Type Certificates: A2PC and A10SW. The FAA concurs that one AD may 
eliminate applicability questions from the field; however, ADs are 
issued against airplanes of the same type design. Since these airplanes 
are certificated under two separate type designs, the FAA is issuing an 
AD on each type design. The proposed AD is unchanged as a result of 
this comment.
    No comments were received on the FAA's determination of the cost 
impact on the public.
    After careful review, the FAA has determined that air safety and 
the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except 
for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these 
minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD nor add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 252 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $300 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $158,760. This figure is based on the 
assumption that none of the affected airplane operators have 
accomplished the required action.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, in a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new AD to read 
as follows:

94-04-16 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-8836; 
Docket No. 92-CE-50-AD.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

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               Model                             Serial Nos.            
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MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU-2B- 008 through 312, 314 through 320,  
 25, and MU-2B-26.                    and 322 through 347.              
MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36...  501 through 651, 653 through 660,  
                                      and 662 through 696.              
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent excessive control wheel force caused by extreme 
elevator nose-down trim deflection, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim 
to a 1-degree to 3-degree range in accordance with the Instructions 
section of Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 11, 
1992.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 3229 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806. The 
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los 
Angeles ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 
11, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Mitsubishi Heavy 
Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10, Oyecho, Minato-Ku, 
Nagoya, Japan. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-8836) becomes effective on April 11, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 1994.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3965 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U-M