[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25120-25123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6419]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require 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 proposed 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 proposed 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., 4951 Airport Parkway, 
Suite 800, Addison, Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 934-5480; facsimile: 
(972) 934-5488 for the service information identified in this proposed 
AD.
    You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

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: 

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to send any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2006-23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing 
date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each

[[Page 25121]]

substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of the DOT docket web site, 
anyone can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Discussion

    Recent accidents and the service history of the Mitsubishi MU-2B 
series airplanes prompted FAA to conduct an MU-2B Safety Evaluation. 
This evaluation 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.
    The safety evaluation provided an in-depth review and analysis of 
MU-2B accidents, incidents, safety data, pilot training requirements, 
engine reliability, and commercial operations. In conducting this 
evaluation, the team employed new analysis tools that provided a much 
more detailed root cause analysis of the MU-2B problems than was 
previously possible.
    Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions 
that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. Some 
torque transducers were found significantly out of calibration. This 
could result in a safety of flight condition where an actual power 
mismatch exists that is not indicated on the engine instruments. In 
addition, an indicated power that is higher or lower than actual power 
could result.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in degraded 
performance and poor handling qualities with loss of control of the 
airplane in certain situations.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the following MHI service information:
     Service Bulletin No. 233A, dated January 14, 1999; and
     Service Bulletin No. 095/77-002, dated July 15, 1998.
    The service information describes procedures for inspecting the 
engine torque indication system and recalibrating the torque pressure 
transducers as required.

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The MU-2B series airplane was initially certificated in 1965 and 
again in 1976 under two separate type certificates that consist of 
basically the same type design. Japan is the State of Design for type 
certificate (TC) No. A2PC, and the United States is the State of Design 
for TC No. A10SW. The affected models are as follows (where models are 
duplicated, specific serial numbers are specified in the individual 
TCs):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Type certificate                      Affected models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A10SW.............................  MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-26A, MU-2B-
                                     35, MU-2B-36, MU-2B-36A, MU-2B-40,
                                     and MU-2B-60.
A2PC..............................  MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20,
                                     MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-30, MU-2B-
                                     35, and MU-2B-36.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, the airworthiness authority for 
Japan, issued Japanese AD No. TCD 4889-98, dated January 14, 1999, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of the airplanes in Japan.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD to address unsafe conditions that we 
determined are likely to exist or develop on other products of this 
same type design. The proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
engine torque indication system and recalibrate the torque pressure 
transducers if required.
    The Agency 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: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/small_airplanes/cos/mu2_foia_reading_library/.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 397 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to accomplish these proposed 
inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                              Parts cost                airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 workhours x $80 = $400.....................  Not applicable.................            $400         $158,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;

[[Page 25122]]

    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 under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

Examining the Dockets

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received and any final disposition on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the DOT Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the 
Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the street address 
stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the Docket Management Facility receives them.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Docket No. FAA-2006-23883; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD) action by 
June 15, 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, MU-2B-26, MU-  322 through 347.
                               2B-30, MU-2B-35,
                               and MU-2B-36.
(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-    348SA through
                               2B-40.                459SA.
(4) A10SW...................  MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36,   652SA, 661SA, and
                               MU-2B-36A, and MU-    697SA through
                               2B-60.                1569SA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) 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. 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 the       private pilot
 (AFM) charts listed in        effective date of     certificate as
 TABLE 3.--AFM INSERTION       this AD.              authorized by
 PAGES, paragraph (f) of                             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 the effective   listed in Type
 and recalibrate the torque    date of this AD.      Certificate No.
 pressure transducers as                             A2PC follow
 required. This inspection                           Mitsubishi Heavy
 requires the use of the                             Industries, Ltd.
 power assurance charts                              (MHI) 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. 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.

[[Page 25123]]



                      Table 3.--AFM Insertion Pages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Date and version of   Page number from
  Model of airplane affected              AFM                  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,
                                 1986.
(v) MU-2B-26..................  AFM, Section 6,         6-17 and 6-18
                                 Reissued March 25,
                                 1986.
(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,
                                 1986.
(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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (h) For information on any already approved AMOCs or for 
information pertaining to this AD, contact Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace 
Engineer, ASW-150, Fort Worth ACO, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193; telephone: (817) 222-5284; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.

Related Information

    (i) Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Airworthiness Directive No. TCD 
4889-98, dated January 14, 1999; and MHI Service Bulletins No. 233A, 
dated January 14, 1999; and No. 095/77-002, dated July 15, 1998, 
also address the subject of this AD.
    (j) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., 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, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2006-23883; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-12-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 21, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-6419 Filed 4-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P