Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B11399, was enacted to address safety concerns related to the airworthiness of aircraft, particularly the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that specific models of the Mitsubishi MU-2 aeroplanes undergo necessary inspections to mitigate potential safety risks. The problem this legislation aimed to address was the risk of improper installation of flap drive torque tubes, which could lead to disconnection of the flap drive train, asymmetrical flap deployment, and loss of control. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by mandating specific inspection protocols as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/69. This directive applies to certain serial numbers of the Mitsubishi MU-2B and MU-2B variants, requiring inspections before further flight following the issuance date of the directive to prevent unsafe conditions.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes, namely the MU-2B and its variants (MU-2B-10, -10, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, and -36) with serial numbers between 008 and 347, and 501 and 696, excluding aircraft with serial numbers 313, 321, 652, and 661. It mandates an inspection to ensure the proper installation of flap drive torque tubes, a directive necessary to prevent potential disconnection of the flap drive train, which could result in asymmetrical flap deployment and loss of control. The AD applies to any flight operations conducted within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The inspection must be carried out in accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 237 dated 13 December 2001, and compliance is required before further flight after 16 January 2002, unless the inspection has already been completed. The AD came into effect on 16 January 2002, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, detail the provisions concerning airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 39.1(1) empowers the CASA delegate to issue such directives to address unsafe conditions identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD/MU-2/69) focuses on Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes, specifically models MU-2B; MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, and -36, with certain serial numbers excluded. The directive mandates an inspection of the flap drive torque tube in accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 237 dated 13 December 2001, and references JCAB AD TCD-5864-2001. The inspection must be conducted before further flight after 16 January 2002, unless it has already been accomplished. The AD became effective on 16 January 2002. Operators of the affected Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes must adhere to the specified requirements of this directive. This involves conducting an inspection of the flap drive torque tube in line with the detailed instructions provided in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 237. The inspection is crucial to detect any improper installation that could lead to disconnection of the flap drive train, potentially resulting in asymmetrical flap deployment and loss of control of the aircraft. The directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers, excluding those listed in the applicability section. Operators must ensure that this inspection is completed before further flights after the effective date of the AD, unless it has already been carried out. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the unsafe condition being left unaddressed, which could potentially result in a significant risk to flight safety. In severe cases, such non-compliance could be viewed as a breach of civil aviation safety regulations, potentially leading to penalties. The exact penalties are not detailed in the AD but can include fines, suspension of aircraft operation certificates, or other regulatory actions as determined by CASA. Ensuring compliance with the AD is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and ensuring the safety of all flights.