[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10710-10712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04146]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0108; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, 
MU-2B-36, MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B-60 airplanes. This proposed AD results 
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 
by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an 
unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as stress corrosion cracking in the flanges of the airframe 
at stations 4610 and 5605. We are issuing this proposed AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., c/o Turbine Aircraft 
Services, Inc., 4550 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, Texas 75001; 
telephone: (972) 248-3108, ext. 209; fax: (972) 248-3321; Internet: 
http://mu-2aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2014-0108; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth A. Cook, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5475; fax: (817) 
222-5960; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0108; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), which is the aviation 
authority for Japan, has issued AD No. TCD-8231-2013, dated August 6, 
2013 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) Models 
MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0108.
    The JCAB has informed us that as part of the MHI continuing aging 
aircraft program, Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes, 
short body and long body, were subjected to detailed teardown 
inspections. During the inspections, structural cracks in the flanges 
of some long body airplane frames were found at frame station (STA) 
4610 and STA 5605. It has been determined that the structural cracks 
resulted from stress corrosion.
    Japan is the State of Design for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 
(MHI) Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36, which the MCAI AD 
applies to, and the United States is the State of Design for MHI Models 
MU-2B-36A and MU-2B-60 airplanes. Since the Models MU-2B-36A and MU-2B-
60 airplanes are of similar type design, the same structural cracks 
could exist.

Relevant Service Information

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has issued Service Bulletin No. 
242, dated July 10, 2013, and Service Bulletin No. 104/53-003, dated 
July 22, 2013. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    Some of the affected products have been approved by the aviation 
authority of another country, and are approved for operation in the 
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of 
Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined 
the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.
    Since the same unsafe condition exists for both the Japan and U.S. 
State of Design model airplanes, we are proposing one AD to address 
this issue for all affected airplanes.

[[Page 10711]]

    This proposed AD would require inspecting the side and lower frame 
at STA 4610 and 5605 for cracks and corrosion and making all necessary 
repairs and replacements.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 119 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 100 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $1,011,500, or $8,500 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take up to 428 work-hours and require parts costing up to $14,400, for 
a cost up to $50,780 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of products that may need such repair based on the results of 
the proposed inspection. The extent of damage will vary on each 
airplane.

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 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0108; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-
2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes, serial numbers 502 through 
651, 653 through 660, and 662 through 696, and Models MU-2B-36A and 
MU-2B-60 airplanes, serial numbers 661SA, 697SA through 799SA, and 
1501SA through 1569SA, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as stress corrosion 
cracking in the flanges of the airframes at stations 4610 and 5605. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct structural cracks in 
the airframe flanges, which could reduce the structural integrity of 
the airplane.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD or within the next 3 years after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the side 
and lower frames at frame station (STA) 4610 and STA 5605 for cracks 
and corrosion. Do the inspection following paragraphs 3.0 through 
3.3 of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, 
dated July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service 
Bulletin No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.
    (2) If any crack is found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the actions 
in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD:
    (i) Repair the frame following paragraphs 4.0 and 5.0 of 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated 
July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin 
No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable; or
    (ii) Replace the frame following paragraphs 4.0, 6.0, and 7.0 of 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated 
July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin 
No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.
    (3) If any corrosion is found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, repair the 
damage following the instructions in paragraph 3.2 of Mitsubishi 
Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated July 10, 
2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 104/
53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Kenneth A. Cook, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort 
Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5475; fax: (817) 222-5960; 
email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of

[[Page 10712]]

information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid 
OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information 
collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, 
including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this 
collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden 
should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    We are allowing special flight permits with the following 
limitations:
    (1) Essential crew only;
    (2) Minimum weight;
    (3) Limit ``G'' loading to minimum; and
    (4) Most direct flight to repair center.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) AD No. TCD-
8231-2013, dated August 6, 2013, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0108. For 
service information related to this AD, contact Mitsubishi Heavy 
Industries America, Inc. c/o Turbine Aircraft Services, Inc., 4550 
Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 248-
3108, ext. 209; fax: (972) 248-3321; Internet: http://mu-2aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at 
the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 20, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04146 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P