COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/MU-2/48 Rudder Trim Tab 4/91 DM
Applicability: Model MU-2B/-10/-15/-20: S/N 008 through 211. Model MU-2B-30: S/N 502 through 542.
Model MU-2B-36: S/N 501.
Requirement: Action IAW the technical requirements of Japan CAB AD TCD-3378-90.
Note: MHI SB 211 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1991 or prior to 20 May 1991; whichever occurs first.
Background: A field report revealed that the rudder trim tab could interfere with the rudder trailing edge when full right rudder and full left rudder trim are applied at the same time during single engine operation. To preclude future occurrence of this condition, the trim tab leading edge requires modification.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. One of the instruments under this Act is F2006B11378, which addresses specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address the problem of potential interference between the rudder trim tab and the rudder trailing edge, identified during single engine operation, which could compromise flight safety. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the technical requirements of Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau, ensuring that the identified issue is rectified to maintain airworthiness and safety standards. Compliance with these directives must occur within a specified timeframe to mitigate any safety risks associated with the identified condition.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) MU-2/48 concerning the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting certain model numbers and serial numbers to address a safety concern involving the rudder trim tab. The directive applies to Mitsubishi MU-2B/-10/-15/-20 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 008 to 211, as well as the MU-2B-30 models with serial numbers between 502 and 542, and the single MU-2B-36 with serial number 501. The requirement for compliance is grounded in the technical standards set by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau's AD TCD-3378-90, with reference to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 211. Operators must ensure that the necessary modifications to the trim tab leading edge are carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1991, or before 20 May 1991, whichever comes first. This directive is issued to prevent potential interference between the rudder trim tab and the rudder trailing edge, which could occur under specific flight conditions.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contain crucial provisions concerning the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes (sections referenced within the legislative instrument). The directive AD/MU-2/48 pertains to the rudder trim tab of certain MU-2 models, namely the MU-2B/-10/-15/-20 with serial numbers 008 through 211, the MU-2B-30 with serial numbers 502 through 542, and the MU-2B-36 with serial number 501 (section 1). The directive mandates that these aircraft must adhere to the technical requirements outlined in Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Airworthiness Directive TCD-3378-90, with reference to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 211 (section 2).
Under these regulations, operators of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 models must ensure compliance with the directive's requirements. This involves modifying the rudder trim tab's leading edge to prevent interference with the rudder trailing edge, a condition identified in a field report (section 3). Compliance with the directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1991 or by 20 May 1991, whichever comes first (section 4). Failure to adhere to these requirements can have significant implications.
Failure to comply with the AD/MU-2/48 directive can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, including potential penalties (section 5). Although the specific penalties are not detailed in this directive, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could apply, including fines and imprisonment for breaches that endanger safety. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance, as well as any subsequent investigations and findings by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.