Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B Series Airplanes, 25120-25123 [E6-6419]
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TABLE 2.—ACTIONS/COMPLIANCE/PROCEDURES
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
Do flight checks of the rigging of the engine
and propeller systems and make any necessary corrections. Make an entry into the
aircraft logbook showing compliance with this
portion of the AD in accordance with section
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 43.9).
Check within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS)
after the effective date of this AD, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. If any corrections are
necessary, make the corrections before further flight.
For airplanes listed in TCDS A2PC: follow
MHI Service Bulletin No. 234, dated October 7, 1998.
For airplanes listed in TCDS A10SW: follow
MHI Service Bulletin No. 097/73–001, dated
July 24, 1998.
(f) The flight checks required in paragraph
(e) of this AD must be done by two
individuals. One of the individuals must
hold at least a private pilot certificate as
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) and the
other must be one of the following
individuals:
(1) Another individual holding at least a
private pilot certificate as authorized by
section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR43.7) or
(2) An authorized rated mechanic.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Related Information
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(i) Japan Civil Aviation Bureau
Airworthiness Directive No. TCD 4890–98,
dated October 7, 1998; and MHI Service
Bulletins No. 234, dated October 7, 1998; and
No. 097/73–001, dated July 24, 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
https://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is
Docket No. FAA–2006–23884; Directorate
Identifier 2006–CE–13–AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April
21, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–6420 Filed 4–27–06; 8:45 am]
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Jkt 208001
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
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
(g) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO, 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.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
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instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://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 https://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 https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
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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
https://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 indepth 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 ............................................
A2PC ...............................................
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.
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: https://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:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
5 workhours × $80 = $400 ........................................................................
Not applicable ..................................
$400
$158,800
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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
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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
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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;
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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 https://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.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 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
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:
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) must receive comments on this
proposed airworthiness directive (AD) action
by June 15, 2006.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
Applicability
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Affected ADs
(b) None.
(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–2B–15, MU–2B–20,
MU–2B–25, MU–2B–26, MU–2B–30, MU–
2B–35, and MU–2B–36.
MU–2B–30, MU–2B–35, and MU–2B–36 ........
008 through 312, 314 through 320, and 322
through 347.
(2) A2PC .............................................................
(3) A10SW ..........................................................
(4) A10SW ..........................................................
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
MU–2B–25, MU–2B–26, MU–2B–26A, and
MU–2B–40.
MU–2B–35, MU–2B–36, MU–2B–36A, and
MU–2B–60.
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
501 through 651, 653 through 660, and 662
through 696.
313SA, 321SA, and 348SA through 459SA.
652SA, 661SA, and 697SA through 1569SA.
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
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Incorporate the following pages from the
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) charts listed in
TABLE 3.—AFM INSERTION PAGES, paragraph (f) of this AD, into the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM.
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Actions
Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after
the effective date of this AD.
(2) Inspect the engine torque indication system
and recalibrate the torque pressure transducers as required. This inspection requires
the use of the power assurance charts referenced in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and in
TABLE 3, paragraph (f) of this AD.
Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date
of this AD.
The owner/operator holding at least a private
pilot certificate as authorized by section
43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR 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).
(i) For airplanes listed in Type Certificate No.
A2PC follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Ltd. (MHI) Service Bulletin No. 233A, dated
January 14, 1999.
(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
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of the inspection required in paragraph (e)(2)
of this AD.
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25123
TABLE 3.—AFM INSERTION PAGES
Model of airplane affected
Date and version of AFM
(i) MU–2B ........................................
(ii) MU–2B–15 .................................
(iii) MU–2B–20 ................................
(iv) MU–2B–25 ................................
(v) MU–2B–26 .................................
(vi) MU–2B–26A ..............................
(vii) MU–2B–35 ...............................
(viii) MU–2B–36A ............................
(ix) MU–2B–40 ................................
(x) MU–2B–60 .................................
(xi) MU–2B–10 ................................
(xii) MU–2B–30 ...............................
(xiii) MU–2B–36 ...............................
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
AFM,
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
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
https://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]
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Revision 9, dated January 14, 1999 ..........................
Revision 9, dated January 14, 1999 ..........................
Revision 9, dated January 14, 1999 ..........................
Reissued March 25, 1986 ..........................................
Reissued March 25, 1986 ..........................................
Reissued March 25, 1986 ..........................................
Reissued March 25, 1986 ..........................................
Reissued February 28, 1986 ......................................
Reissued March 25, 1986 ..........................................
Reissued September 24, 1985 ...................................
Revision 9, dated January 14, 1999 ..........................
Revision 10, dated January 14, 1999 ........................
Revision 9, dated January 14, 1999 ..........................
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
(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.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
6,
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R04–OAR–2003–TN–0001, EPA–R04–
OAR–2004–TN–0001–200413(b); FRL–8163–
2]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans: Revisions to the
Tennessee Nitrogen Oxides Budget
and Allowance Trading Program
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve
two State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revisions to the Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation’s
Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) Budget Trading
Program (Trading Program) submitted
October 27, 2003, and December 10,
2003, by the State of Tennessee. The
first revision corrects a miscalculation
in Tennessee’s NOX trading budget for
non-electric generating units (nonEGUs) resulting from the use of an
incorrect control efficiency percentage
for one of the Trading Program’s nonEGU sources—an Eastman Chemical
Company boiler. The correction of this
miscalculation results in a 147 tons per
season (tps) increase in Tennessee’s
NOX trading budget for non-EGUs—
making its non-EGU trading budget
5,666 tps, instead of 5,519 tps, and
increasing Tennessee’s total State-wide
NOX budget from 163,928 tpy to 164,075
tpy. Based on this correction,
Tennessee’s second revision reallocates
trading allowances to Eastman Chemical
Company—increasing the NOX trading
allowances from 416 tps to 549 tps for
the Eastman Chemical Company boiler.
In the Final Rules section of this
Federal Register, EPA is approving the
State’s SIP revisions as a direct final
rule without prior proposal because the
Agency views these as noncontroversial
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6–34
6–19
6–20
6–18
6–17
6–17
6–18
6–20
6–17
6–19
6–19
6–19
6–20
and
and
and
and
and
and
and
6–19
6–18
6–18
6–19
6–21
6–18
6–20
submittals and anticipates no adverse
comments. A detailed rationale for the
approval is set forth in the direct final
rule. If no significant, material, and
adverse comments are received in
response to this rule, no further activity
is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse
comments, the direct final rule will be
withdrawn and all public comments
received will be addressed in a
subsequent final rule based on this
proposed rule. EPA will not institute a
second comment period on this
document. Any parties interested in
commenting on this document should
do so at this time.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before May 30, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
OAR–2003–TN–0001 or EPA–R04–
OAR–2004–TN–0001, by one of the
following methods:
1. https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. E-mail: difrank.stacy@epa.gov.
3. Fax: 404–562–9019.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2003–TN–
0001 or EPA–R04–OAR–2004–TN–
0001’’, Regulatory Development Section,
Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Stacy
DiFrank, Regulatory Development
Section, Air Planning Branch, Air,
Pesticides and Toxics Management
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street,
SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office’s official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding Federal
holidays. Please see the direct final rule
which is located in the Rules section of
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25120-25123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6419]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
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 https://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 https://
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
https://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: https://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 https://
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 https://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
