98-16054. Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Model YS-11 and YS-11A Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 33243-33244]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-16054]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-NM-71-AD; Amendment 39-10601; AD 98-13-13]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Model 
    YS-11 and YS-11A Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to all Mitsubishi Model YS-11 and YS-11A series airplanes. 
    This amendment requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
    prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop. This 
    amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes 
    equipped with turboprop engines in which the propeller beta was used 
    improperly during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
    to prevent loss of airplane controllability or engine overspeed with 
    consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
    positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
    the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
    Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
    227-2145; fax (425) 227-1149.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to all Mitsubishi Model YS-11 and YS-
    11A series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 
    1998 (63 FR 17346). That action proposed to require revising the 
    Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the 
    positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the 
    airplane is in flight, and to add a statement of the consequences of 
    positioning the power
    
    [[Page 33244]]
    
    levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.
    
    Comments
    
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the single comment received.
        The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    
    Conclusion
    
        After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
    noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
    interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    
    Interim Action
    
        This is considered interim action until final action is identified, 
    at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 10 Mitsubishi Model YS-11 and YS-11A series 
    airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
    take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
    actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
    these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
    to be $600, or $60 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        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, on a substantial 
    number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from 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.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    98-13-13  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. [Formerly Nihon 
    Aeroplane Manufacturing Company (NMAC)]: Amendment 39-10601. Docket 
    97-NM-71-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model YS-11 and YS-11A -200, -300, -500, and 
    -600 series airplanes; 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 (b) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent loss of airplane controllability or engine overspeed 
    with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers 
    being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
    flight, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
    the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
    (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be 
    accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
        ``Warning: While the airplane is airborne, the LOW STOP lever 
    (flight fine pitch stop) should not be placed in the GROUND position 
    for any reason. Placing the LOW STOP lever in the GROUND position in 
    flight may lead to loss of airplane control or may result in an 
    engine overspeed condition and consequent loss of engine power.''
        (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
    FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
    requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, 
    who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
    Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
    
        (c) 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.
        (d) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 11, 1998.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-16054 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/18/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-16054
Dates:
July 23, 1998.
Pages:
33243-33244 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-NM-71-AD, Amendment 39-10601, AD 98-13-13
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-16054.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13