[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 [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13441]


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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; 
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 http://dms.dot.gov. 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:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     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: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/small_airplanes/cos/mu2_foia_reading_library/.

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: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html 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 http://dms.dot.gov. 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]
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