[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 30, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55939-55941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27757]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., MU-
2B Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
(Mitsubishi) MU-2B series airplanes. The proposed action would require
removing the vent check valve assembly from the bulkhead between the
fuel tanks. The proposed action results from an incident where both
engines on an affected airplane failed during the end of a flight. The
incident is attributed to the fuel filler caps on the top of the wings
not sealing correctly. The actions specified by the proposed 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.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-45-AD, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10,
Oyecho, Minato-Ku, Nagoya, Japan. This information also may be examined
at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Eric M. Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5260;
facsimile (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this
[[Page 55940]]
proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 96-CE-45-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-45-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of an incident where both engines on
a Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplane failed during the end of a flight.
The airplane landed in a field short of the runway. Investigation of
the accident revealed fuel leakage from the fuel filler caps. This is
attributed to the fuel filler caps not sealing properly. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in outboard fuel
not transferring to the center tank, which would make this fuel
unavailable to both engines.
Explanation of the Applicable Service Information
Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 130A, dated July 19,
1971, specifies procedures for removing the vent check valve assembly
from the bulkhead between the fuel tanks. When the vent check valve
assembly is removed in accordance with this service bulletin, fuel will
transfer to the center tank regardless of the condition of the fuel
filler cap seal.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken 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.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplanes of the same
type design, the proposed AD would require removing the vent check
valve assembly from the bulkhead between the fuel tanks. Accomplishment
of the proposed action would be in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 SB
No. 130A, dated July 19, 1971.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
The compliance time for the proposed AD is presented in calendar
time instead of hours time-in-service. The fuel filler cap may not seal
properly regardless of whether the airplane is in operation. For this
reason, the FAA has determined that a calendar time for compliance is
the most desirable for the proposed AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3
workhours (average: 4 workhours for 7 airplanes and 2 workhours for 7
airplanes) per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,520.
The above figure is based on the assumption that no owner/operator
of the affected airplanes has accomplished the proposed vent check
valve assembly removal. The FAA is aware that 7 of the affected
airplanes are already in compliance with the proposed action. With this
information in mind, the cost impact upon U.S. operators/owners would
be reduced by $1,260 from $2,520 to $1,260.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Docket No. 96-CE-45-AD.
Applicability: Models MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, and MU-
2B-30 airplanes (serial numbers 004 through 035, 037, 038, 101
through 230, 502 through 525, and 527 through 547), certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it. Compliance: Required within the next 60 calendar days
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
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,
accomplish the following:
(a) Remove the vent check valve assembly in accordance with the
instructions in Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 130A, dated
July 19, 1971.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
[[Page 55941]]
(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, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712.
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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems, 10, Oyecho, Minato-Ku,
Nagoya, Japan; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27757 Filed 10-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
