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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

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

Airworthiness Directives: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., MU-

2B Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi), MU-

2B series airplanes. This action requires reducing the maximum

deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree

range. Analysis of service history on the affected airplanes has

revealed one accident and two incidents where the existing elevator

nose-down trim deflection caused excessive control wheel force. The

actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive control

wheel force caused by extreme elevator nose-down trim deflection, which

could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 11, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of April 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained

from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10,

Oyecho, Minato-Ku, Nagoya, Japan. This information may also be examined

at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of

the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. William Roberts, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, FAA, 3229 E. Spring Street, Long Beach,

California 90806; telephone (310) 988-5228; facsimile (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an AD that would apply to certain

Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes was published in the Federal Register

on December 14, 1992 (57 FR 58999). The action proposed to require

reducing the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-

degree to 3-degree range. The proposed action would be accomplished in

accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September

11, 1992.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the one comment received.

The commenter supports the proposed action, but recommends that, to

eliminate any applicability questions from the field, the FAA issue one

AD to cover the Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes covered under two FAA

Type Certificates: A2PC and A10SW. The FAA concurs that one AD may

eliminate applicability questions from the field; however, ADs are

issued against airplanes of the same type design. Since these airplanes

are certificated under two separate type designs, the FAA is issuing an

AD on each type design. The proposed AD is unchanged as a result of

this comment.

No comments were received on the FAA's determination of the cost

impact on the public.

After careful review, the FAA has determined that air safety and

the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except

for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these

minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD nor add any

additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 252 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per

airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor

rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $300 per

airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $158,760. This figure is based on the

assumption that none of the affected airplane operators have

accomplished the required action.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects on the States, on the relationship between the national

government and the States, or on the distribution of power and

responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a

significant economic impact, positive or negative, in a substantial

number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the

caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

as follows:

94-04-16 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-8836;

Docket No. 92-CE-50-AD.

Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,

certificated in any category.

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Model Serial Nos.

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MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU-2B- 008 through 312, 314 through 320,

25, and MU-2B-26. and 322 through 347.

MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36... 501 through 651, 653 through 660,

and 662 through 696.

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Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service

after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent excessive control wheel force caused by extreme

elevator nose-down trim deflection, which could result in loss of

control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim

to a 1-degree to 3-degree range in accordance with the Instructions

section of Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 11,

1992.

(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), FAA, 3229 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806. The

request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los

Angeles ACO.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in

accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September

11, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the

Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Mitsubishi Heavy

Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10, Oyecho, Minato-Ku,

Nagoya, Japan. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th

Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment (39-8836) becomes effective on April 11,

1994.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 1994.

John R. Colomy,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-3965 Filed 2-22-94; 8:45 am]

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