AD 2007-17-09 Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B Series Airplanes

This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category: (1) Category 1 Airplanes (TCDS A2PC):   Model Serial Nos. (i) MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU-2B-25, and MU-2B-26 008 through 347 (except 313 and 321). (ii) MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 501 through 696 (except 652 and 661). (2) Category 2 Airplanes (TCDS A10SW):   Model Serial Nos. (i) MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-26A, and MU-2B-40 313SA, 321SA, 348SA through 459SA. (ii) MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36, MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B-60 652SA, 661SA and 697SA through 1569SA.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree range (i) For Category 1 airplanes: Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 11, 1994 (the effective date of AD 94-04-16) (A) For Category 1 airplanes: Follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 11, 1992.   (ii) For Category 2 airplanes: Within the next 100 hours TIS after June 1, 1993 (the effective date of AD 93-07-11) (B) For Category 2 airplanes: Follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 079/27-010, dated August 28, 1992. (2) Modify the elevator trim indicator scale dial Within the next 100 hours TIS after September 25, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) (i) For Category 1 airplanes: Follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 228, dated July 13, 1998. (ii) For Category 2 airplanes: Follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 091/27-011, dated August 6, 1998. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, ATTN: Werner G. Koch, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO, ASW-150, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (g) AMOCs approved for AD 93-07-11, Amendment 39-8543 and AD 94-04-16, Amendment 39-8836 are approved for this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 11, 1992; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 079/27-010, dated August 28, 1992; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 228, dated July 13, 1998; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 091/27-011, dated August 6, 1998; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 228, dated July 13, 1998; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 091/27-011, dated August 6, 1998; under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On June 1, 1993, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 079/27-010, dated August 28, 1992, listed in this AD. (3) On April 11, 1994, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Service Bulletin No. 216, dated September 11, 1992, listed in this AD. (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., 4951 Airport Parkway, Suite 800, Addison, Texas 75001; telephone: 972-934-5480; facsimile: 972-934-5488. (5) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2007. Terry L. Chasteen, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-16288 Filed 8-20-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from several incidents caused by excessive control wheel force. We are issuing this AD to retain the actions of reducing the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree range from AD 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16 to prevent excessive control wheel force caused by extreme elevator nose-down trim deflection. We are also issuing this AD to modify the elevator trim indicator scale dial to be consistent with the reduced elevator trim capability. Inconsistencies between the elevator indicator scale dial and the elevator trim mechanical stop may result in the pilot thinking that more nose-down trim is available beyond the mechanical stop. Attempting to force additional nose-down trim beyond the mechanical stop may jam the trim system, preventing subsequent electric trim changes until the pilot manually frees the trim wheel. These conditions may result in loss of control.