AD 98-20-39 Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2B Series Airplanes

The following airplane model and serial number airplanes: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Models Serial numbers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Certificate No. A2PC ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, MU-2B- 008 through 312, 314 25, and MU-2B-26. through 320, and 322 through 347. MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36............. 501 through 651, 653 through 660, and 662 through 696. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Certificate No. A10SW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MU-2B-25, MU-2B-26, MU-2B-26A, and MU-2B-40.. 313SA, 321SA, 348SA and through 459SA. MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B-60............ 652SA, 661SA, and 697SA through 1569SA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. holds both Type Certificate No. A2PC and Type Certificate No. A10SW for the affected airplanes. Raytheon manufactures, in the United States, the airplanes affected by Type Certificate No. A10SW under a licensing agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Note 2: 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 (e) 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.

Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. 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, accomplish the following: (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect each forward attachment fitting bolt (up to 4 to 5 bolts per airplane depending on the configuration) of the wing tip tanks to determine whether any bolt not incorporating part number (P/N) 017A-12887, P/N 017A-12887-3, P/ N 017A-12887A-5, or P/N 017A-12887-7, is installed. The bolts that apply to each model and serial number airplanes are specified in the service bulletins referenced below. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with whichever of the following is applicable: (1) Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 225, dated September 29, 1995, for airplanes affected by Type Certificate No. A2PC; or (2) Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 089/57-002A, dated November 5, 1996, for airplanes affected by Type Certificate No. A10SW. (b) If any bolt not incorporating P/N 017A-12887, P/N 017A- 12887-3, P/N 017A-12887A-5, or P/N 017A-12887-7, is installed, prior to further flight, replace it with a P/N 017A-12887-5 or P/N 017A- 12887-7 bolt as applicable and as specified in the service information. The P/N 017A-12887-5 and P/N 017A-12887-7 bolts are of similar design to the P/N 017A-12887 and P/N 017A-12887-3 bolts, and are identified with the black painted letters ``SPL''. Accomplish this action in accordance with one of the service bulletins listed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (c) If any P/N 017A-12887 or P/N 017A-12887-3 bolt is installed, prior to further flight, identify the bolt with the letters ``SPL''. Accomplish this action in accordance with one of the service bulletins listed in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (d) 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. (e) 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 Blvd., 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (f) Questions or technical information related to Mitsubishi MU- 2 Service Bulletin No. 225, dated September 29, 1995, should be directed to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works, 10, OYE-CHO, MINATO-KU, Nagoya, Japan; telephone: NAGOYA (611) 2141, facsimile: 4464561HISI. Questions or technical information related to Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 089/57- 002A, dated November 5, 1996, should be directed to Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 East Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201, Attention: Manager, Publications. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (g) The inspection, replacements, and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 225, dated September 29, 1995, or Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 089/57-002A, dated November 5, 1996. 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 Works, 10, OYE-CHO, MINATO-KU, Nagoya, Japan or Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 East Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Japanese AD KU- KI-158 TCD-4310-96, dated March 25, 1996. (h) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998. [[Page 52585]] Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 22, 1998. James E. Jackson, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-25957 Filed 9-30-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U