Mitsubishi MU-2

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 75-16-20, which applied to all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Model 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 airplanes. AD 75-16-20 required repetitive inspections of the propeller pitch control (PPC) lever for security and proper rigging. This AD requires modification and repetitive inspections of the PPC lever linkage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes

We are adopting 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 AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 reports of cracks found in the attach fittings of the main landing gear oleo strut. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes

We are adopting 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 AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Various Models MU-2B Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-17-01, AD 2006-15-07, AD 2000-02-25, and AD 97-25-02, which applies to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) various Models MU-2B airplanes. An FAA MU-2B safety evaluation resulted in the standardization of the MU-2B specific training and the FAA-accepted pilot operating checklists through a special Federal aviation regulation (SFAR). MHI revised the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to align them with the information in that training and the checklists. In addition, incorporating all AFM revisions up to and including this latest AFM revision will incorporate all AFM compliance actions required by the four above-mentioned ADs. This AD would retain from AD 2006-17-01 the inspection of the engine torque indication system and possible recalibration of the torque pressure transducers and would require incorporating all revisions up to and including the latest revisions of the AFM. We are issuing this AD to correct inconsistencies in critical operating procedures between the MU-2B specific training, the FAA-accepted pilot operating checklists, and the AFMs, which, if not corrected, could result in the pilot inadvertently taking inappropriate actions in critical operating conditions.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16, which apply to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B series airplanes. AD 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16 currently require you to reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree range. When the above AD actions were issued, there was no associated elevator trim indicator change. Without such change, the trim reaches the maximum nose-down limit and the indicator still shows additional nose-down trim available. In attempting to force additional nose-down trim, pilots have manually jammed the trim system preventing subsequent electric trim changes until the pilot manually freed the trim wheel. Consequently, this AD retains the actions from AD 93-07-11 and AD 94- 04-16 and adds the action of modifying the elevator trim indicator scale dial to be consistent with the reduced elevator trim capability. We are issuing this AD to prevent the above scenarios from occurring with consequent loss of control.

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

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to do flight checks of the rigging of the engine and propeller systems. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate 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 improper adjustment of the flight idle fuel flow setting. This condition, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.

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

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for some Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to verify that the current flight idle blade angles are set at 12 degrees. If not already set at that angle, set the flight idle blade angles to 12 degrees. 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 prevent incorrect flight idle blade angle settings. This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could lead to an asymmetric thrust situation in certain flight conditions, which could result in airplane controllability problems.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to do the following: Remove and visually inspect the wing attach barrel nuts, bolts, and retainers for cracks, corrosion, and fractures; replace any cracked, corroded, or fractured parts; inspect reusable wing attach barrel nuts and bolts for deformation and irregularities in the threads; check the minimum breakaway torque of reused wing attach barrel nuts; replace any deformed or irregular parts; and install new or reusable parts and torque to the correct value. This AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate 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 cracks, corrosion, fractures, and incorrect torque values in the wing attach barrel nuts, which could result in failure of the wing barrel nuts and/or associated wing attachment hardware. This failure could lead to in-flight separation of the outer wing from the center wing section and result in loss of controlled flight.

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

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-20-14, which applies to all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi) MU- 2B series airplanes. AD 97-20-14 currently requires incorporating information into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) that requires pilot training before flight into known or forecast icing conditions after a certain date. AD 97-20-14 resulted from the Federal Aviation Administration's analysis that the training level of the pilots-in-command (PIC) of the MU-2B series airplanes made it difficult for pilots to recognize adverse operating conditions and operate safely while flying in icing conditions. Since issuance of AD 97-20-14, a new training video has been developed that includes information that is critical to safety of the MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to update the AFM information to require this new video as the mandatory pilot training. We are issuing this AD to decrease the chance of icing-related incidents or accidents of the MU- 2B series airplanes due to pilot error.

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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the cockpit windshield and cabin window surfaces for damage (damage is defined as crazing, scratches, and cracks). If any of the windshield or window surfaces have damage that exceeds certain limits, this AD requires you to replace the windshield or window. If the damage does not exceed certain limits, this AD allows you to blend out the damage following maintenance manual procedures. This AD is the result of continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Japan. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cockpit windshield or cabin window separation during flight, which could result in engine ingestion of glass, wing skin damage, or propeller damage, and possible loss of control of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. Model HC-B3TN-5( ) Propellers

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that is applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. model HC-B3TN-5( ) propellers, with blades part number (P/N) T10176H(B,K)-5 or T10178H(B)-11(R) that are installed on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, MU-2 series airplanes. This amendment requires replacement of those blades with blades of the latest design. This amendment is prompted by a report of in-flight propeller blade separation that caused a severe out-of- balance condition, damage to the airplane, and resulted in engine shutdown and a safe landing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent propeller blade separation, damage to the airplane, and possible loss of the airplane.

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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires modifying the airplanes' operating systems. This AD results from several icing-related incidents and accidents of MU-2B series airplanes, and the Federal Aviation Administration's investigation of the airplane design and pilot's ability to operate in icing conditions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assist in preventing departure from controlled flight while operating in icing conditions.

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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Mitsubishi) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting each forward attachment fitting bolt of the wing tip tanks for the correct bolt and replacing any incorrect bolt. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Japan. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the wing tip tank from separating from the airplane because of an incorrect bolt corroding, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., (Mitsubishi) MU-2B series airplanes. This AD requires removing the vent check valve assembly from the bulkhead between the fuel tanks. This AD results from an incident where both engines on an affected airplane failed near the end of a flight because of lack of fuel to the engines. The incident is attributed to the fuel filler caps on the top of the wings not sealing correctly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the inability of both engines to utilize the entire fuel supply because of the outboard fuel not transferring to the center tank, which could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown.

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, LTD. Models MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -26A, -30, -35, -36, -36A, -40, and -60 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, LTD. Models MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -26A, -30, -35, -36, -36A, -40, and -60 airplanes. This action requires revising the Limitations Section, the Procedures Section, and the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). These revisions require establishing a minimum airspeed for sustained level flight in icing conditions, limitations for the use of flaps for flight in icing conditions, cues for recognizing hazardous conditions, exiting procedures in icing conditions that are specific to Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes, and ensuring the wing illumination and taxi lights are operable prior to flight at night into known or forecast icing conditions. Several fatal accidents, involving certain Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes while flying in icing conditions, prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent operating in conditions that are beyond the capability of the icing protection system, prevent aerodynamic stall at higher than normal airspeed because of icing conditions, and immediately provide the pilot with cues for recognizing hazardous conditions and exiting these conditions, which if not followed, could result in loss of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Propeller Inc. HC-A3V, HC-B3M, HC-B3T, HC-B4M, HC-B4T, and HC-B5M Series Propellers

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Hartzell Propeller Inc. (Hartzell) HC-A3V, HC-B3M, HC- B3T, HC-B4M, HC-B4T, and HC-B5M series propellers, that requires hub replacement over a 10-year time period with a concurrent blade and blade clamp inspection. This amendment is prompted by reports of two propeller hub failures and one crack indication that occurred on Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 aircraft, the similarity of construction and load transfer paths between the Hartzell propeller models installed on the Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft and Hartzell's 3, 4, and 5-bladed steel hub propeller models, several blade shank failures, and reports of cracks in blade clamps. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent propeller hub, blade, or blade clamp failure, which can result in loss of aircraft control.

Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell Model HC-B4 Series Propellers Installed on Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aircraft

This amendment supersedes three existing airworthiness directives (AD), applicable to Hartzell Model HC-B4TN-5(D,G,J)L/ LT10282(B,K)-5.3R and HC-B4TN-5(D,G,J)L/LT10282N(B,K)-5.3R propellers installed on Mitsubishi MU-2 series aircraft. These AD's currently require replacement of existing LT10282(B,K)-5.3R propeller blades with LT10282N(B,K)-5.3R improved ``N'' configuration propeller blades, and repetitive inspection and rework when required of the inner hub arm bore. This amendment requires new repair limits, shot peening procedures, and retirement at 10,000 hours time in service for the ``N'' configuration blades. Additionally, this action requires replacement of existing propeller hubs with new improved fatigue strength steel hubs and requires inspection, and specified rework as necessary, of the new steel hubs at a repetitive interval of 3,000 hours time in service. This amendment is prompted by a determination that the current hub design and blade repair limits do not adequately protect against initiation of fatigue cracks in the propeller hub arm bore and do not prevent the resonant speed of the propeller from shifting into the permitted ground idle operating range. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent initiation of fatigue cracks in propeller assemblies and subsequent progression to propeller failure, with departure of the blade, or hub arm and blade, that may result in loss of aircraft control.