Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18496 · Landing gear
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes
This AD applies to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes, serial numbers 502 through 696, except 652 and 661, and Models MU-2B-36A and MU-2B-60 airplanes, serial numbers 661SA, and 697SA through 1569SA, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, MU-2B-36, MU-2B-36A, and MU-2B-60 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as reports of cracks found in the attach fittings of the main landing gear oleo strut. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after June 6, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 6 months after June 6, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, do a visual inspection of the main landing gear oleo upper attach fittings for cracks. Do the inspection following the INSTRUCTIONS section in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 243, dated June 30, 2015, and the INSTRUCTIONS section in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 105/32-017, dated September 29, 2015, as applicable.
(2) Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if no signs of cracks are found, lubricate the pin assembly attached to the main landing gear oleo attach fitting as specified in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 171, FAA T.C.: No. 124/32-011, dated April 27, 2012.
(3) Within the next 100 hours TIS after doing the initial visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within the next 12 months after doing the initial visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs first, do an ultrasound inspection of the main landing gear oleo upper attach fittings for cracks as specified in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 176, FAA T.C.: No. 128/32-013, dated July 18, 2013. This ultrasound inspection may also be done in place of the visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if done within the next 100 hours TIS after June 6, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 6 months after June 6, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Repetitively thereafter ultrasound inspect the attach fittings every 600 hours TIS or 36 months, whichever occurs first, and any time a hard landing or overweight landing occurs.
(4) Before further flight after any inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, if no signs of cracks are found, lubricate the pin assembly attached to the main landing gear oleo attach fitting as specified in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 171, FAA T.C.: No. 124/32-011, dated April 27, 2012, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 176, FAA T.C.: No. 128/32-013, dated July 18, 2013.
(5) Before further flight after any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) and (f)(3) of this AD where cracks are found, replace the main landing gear oleo upper attach fittings following the INSTRUCTIONS section in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 243, dated June 30, 2015, and the INSTRUCTIONS sections in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 105/32-017, dated September 29, 2015, as applicable. After replacement, continue with the repetitive ultrasound inspection requirements of paragraph (f)(3) and lubrication requirements of paragraph (f)(4) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
