[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10710-10712]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04146]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0108; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt 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 proposed AD results
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated
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 stress corrosion cracking in the flanges of the airframe
at stations 4610 and 5605. We are issuing this proposed AD to require
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., c/o Turbine Aircraft
Services, Inc., 4550 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, Texas 75001;
telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>, ext. 209; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet:
http://mu-2aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2014-0108; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth A. Cook, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax: (817)
222-5960; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0108;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), which is the aviation
authority for Japan, has issued AD No. TCD-8231-2013, dated August 6,
2013 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) Models
MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI on
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0108.
    The JCAB has informed us that as part of the MHI continuing aging
aircraft program, Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes,
short body and long body, were subjected to detailed teardown
inspections. During the inspections, structural cracks in the flanges
of some long body airplane frames were found at frame station (STA)
4610 and STA 5605. It has been determined that the structural cracks
resulted from stress corrosion.
    Japan is the State of Design for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
(MHI) Models MU-2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36, which the MCAI AD
applies to, and the United States is the State of Design for MHI Models
MU-2B-36A and MU-2B-60 airplanes. Since the Models MU-2B-36A and MU-2B-
60 airplanes are of similar type design, the same structural cracks
could exist.

Relevant Service Information

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has issued Service Bulletin No.
242, dated July 10, 2013, and Service Bulletin No. 104/53-003, dated
July 22, 2013. The actions described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    Some of the affected products have been approved by the aviation
authority of another country, and are approved for operation in the
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are
proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined
the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
    Since the same unsafe condition exists for both the Japan and U.S.
State of Design model airplanes, we are proposing one AD to address
this issue for all affected airplanes.

    This proposed AD would require inspecting the side and lower frame
at STA 4610 and 5605 for cracks and corrosion and making all necessary
repairs and replacements.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 119 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 100 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $1,011,500, or $8,500 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take up to 428 work-hours and require parts costing up to $14,400, for
a cost up to $50,780 per product. We have no way of determining the
number of products that may need such repair based on the results of
the proposed inspection. The extent of damage will vary on each
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0108;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-052-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU-
2B-30, MU-2B-35, and MU-2B-36 airplanes, serial numbers 502 through
651, 653 through 660, and 662 through 696, and Models MU-2B-36A and
MU-2B-60 airplanes, serial numbers 661SA, 697SA through 799SA, and
1501SA through 1569SA, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated 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 stress corrosion
cracking in the flanges of the airframes at stations 4610 and 5605.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct structural cracks in
the airframe flanges, which could reduce the structural integrity of
the airplane.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through
(f)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD or within the next 3 years after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the side
and lower frames at frame station (STA) 4610 and STA 5605 for cracks
and corrosion. Do the inspection following paragraphs 3.0 through
3.3 of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242,
dated July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service
Bulletin No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.
    (2) If any crack is found during the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the actions
in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD:
    (i) Repair the frame following paragraphs 4.0 and 5.0 of
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated
July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin
No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable; or
    (ii) Replace the frame following paragraphs 4.0, 6.0, and 7.0 of
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated
July 10, 2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin
No. 104/53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.
    (3) If any corrosion is found during the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, repair the
damage following the instructions in paragraph 3.2 of Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 242, dated July 10,
2013, or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 104/
53-003, dated July 22, 2013, as applicable.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Kenneth A. Cook, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort
Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Before using any approved AMOC on any
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of

information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid
OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information
collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of
information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this
collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden
should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance
Officer, AES-200.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    We are allowing special flight permits with the following
limitations:
    (1) Essential crew only;
    (2) Minimum weight;
    (3) Limit ``G'' loading to minimum; and
    (4) Most direct flight to repair center.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) AD No. TCD-
8231-2013, dated August 6, 2013, for related information. You may
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0108. For
service information related to this AD, contact Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America, Inc. c/o Turbine Aircraft Services, Inc., 4550
Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 248-
3108, ext. 209; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet: http://mu-2aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at
the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 20, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04146 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register: March 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 47)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12310-12311]
[DOCID:fr10mr06-19]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R06-OAR-2004-TX-0006; FRL-8044-1]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans;
Texas; Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or
Modification

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Texas State
Implementation Plan (SIP). This action approves provisions for
alternate language public notice for certain preconstruction permits or
permit renewals and provisions for preconstruction permit renewals. It
approves SIP revisions that Texas submitted to EPA on August 31, 1993;
April 29, 1994; August 17, 1994; and July 22, 1998. The revisions that
EPA is approving supplement the current requirements for new
construction and modifications and are more stringent than the Federal
Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) and EPA regulations. We are approving
the revisions under sections 110 and 116 of the Act as improving the
existing SIP.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Mr. David Neleigh, Chief, Air
Permits Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733. Comments may also be
submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following
the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final
rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stanley M. Spruiell, Air Permits
Section (6PD-R), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax number<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the final rules section of this Federal
Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final
rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a
noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no significant adverse
comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the
direct final rule. If no significant adverse comments are received in
response to

this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives
significant adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn
and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent
final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second
comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action
should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives significant
adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and
if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA
may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the
subject of an adverse comment.
    For additional information, see the direct final rule which is
located in the rules section of this Federal Register.

    Dated: February 28, 2006.
Richard E. Greene,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 06-2316 Filed 3-9-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P