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-2/52
Amdt 1
Elevator Nose-Down Trim Limit 9/93
Applicability: Model MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, and -36, with serial numbers listed in
Mitsubishi SB 216.
Model MU-2B-25, -26, -26A, -35, -36, -36A, -40, and -60, with serial numbers listed in Mitsubishi SB 079/27-010.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Mitsubishi Mandatory SB 216 or Mandatory SB 079/27- 010, as applicable.
Note: Japan CAB AD TCD-3740-92 and FAA AD 93-07-11 Amdt 39-8543 refer.
Compliance: For aircraft that were applicable to the original issue of this Directive, compliance remains unchanged:
Within 100 hours time in service after 1 April 1993 or prior to 1 October 1993, whichever occurs first.
For aircraft that are now applicable by the issue of Amendment 1 of this Directive: Within 100 hours time in service after 19 August 1993.
Background: An analysis of the service history on the affected aircraft had revealed one accident and two incidents where the existing elevator nose-down trim deflection had caused excessive control wheel force. This Directive requires certain actions to reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1-degree to 3-degree range.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to the issue of a FAA AD which requires USA Type Certificated MU-2 aircraft to comply with requirements of this Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addressing safety issues that require mandatory compliance. One such directive, AD/MU-2/52 Amendment 1, concerns Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes and mandates actions to mitigate risks associated with elevator nose-down trim limits. This directive was introduced following an analysis that linked excessive control wheel force to one accident and two incidents, necessitating a reduction in the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a safer 1-degree to 3-degree range. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1993 for previously applicable aircraft, and within 100 hours after 19 August 1993 for aircraft newly subject to the directive.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the safety directives for civil aviation in Australia, including the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/MU-2/52 Amendment 1. This regulation applies to specific models of the MU-2 aeroplanes, namely the MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, and -36 with particular serial numbers listed in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin 216, and the MU-2B-25, -26, -26A, -35, -36, -36A, -40, and -60 with serial numbers listed in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin 079/27-010. The directive mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with the relevant Mitsubishi Service Bulletins to ensure compliance with safety standards. This requirement stems from identified issues where excessive control wheel force caused by the elevator nose-down trim led to one accident and two incidents, prompting the need for adjustments to the trim deflection within a specified range of 1 to 3 degrees. The compliance timeline varies, with original applicable aircraft needing to meet the requirement within 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1993 or prior to 1 October 1993, and newly applicable aircraft needing to comply within 100 hours after 19 August 1993. The directive aligns with international standards, referencing Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau AD TCD-3740-92 and the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 93-07-11 Amendment 39-8543.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (Subpart C), includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. The key operative section, AD/MU-2/52 Amdt 1, pertains to the elevator nose-down trim limit. This section mandates that aircraft of the Mitsubishi MU-2 series, specifically models MU-2B-10 through MU-2B-60, with certain serial numbers, must comply with Mitsubishi Service Bulletins (SB) 216 or 079/27-010. This action is required to address issues identified in previous accidents and incidents where the elevator nose-down trim deflection caused excessive control wheel force, leading to potential safety risks. The directive applies to aircraft that were already in service on 1 April 1993 or those that subsequently became applicable by 19 August 1993. Compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service from these dates.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of affected Mitsubishi MU-2 series aircraft must ensure that the elevator nose-down trim is adjusted to the specified 1-degree to 3-degree range. This adjustment must be carried out in accordance with the relevant Mitsubishi Service Bulletins. The compliance timeline is also clearly defined, with a 100-hour window from the specified dates to complete the required actions. Additionally, the directive references other international authorities, such as the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JAC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), indicating a broader consensus on the safety measures required.
Failure to comply with this directive could result in significant legal and safety consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, it is implied that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to serious repercussions. Under Australian civil aviation law, non-compliance could potentially result in fines, suspension of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, or even criminal charges in severe cases. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft. The directive’s reference to other international safety measures highlights the global nature of aviation safety standards and the shared responsibility among nations to maintain these standards.