AD/MU-2/22 Amdt 2 - Nose Landing Gear Strut Assembly (Cth)

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-2/22 Amdt 2

Nose Landing Gear Strut Assembly 10/85

Applicability: All models MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25 and -26 with S/Nos. 005 thru 347 (except S/Nos. 313 and 321) and MU-2B-30, -35 and -36 with S/Nos. 501 thru 696 (except S/Nos. 652 and 661). MU-2B-25, -26, -26A and -40 with S/Nos. 313SA, 321SA and 348SA thru 399SA except aircraft with Trunnions identified with "SP" in the area of part number. MU-2B-35, -36A and -60 with S/Nos. 652SA, 661SA and 697SA thru 741SA except aircraft with trunnions identified with "SP" in the area of the part number.

Requirement: Complete the action described in either:

1. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. SB No. 181B; or

2. Mitsubishi Aircraft International Inc. SB 017/32-001, Revision A; whichever applies.

Note: JCAB AD No. TCD 1768-1-85 refers.

Compliance: 1. Struts with 4000 hours or more time in service - within 200 hours time in service after 30 November 1983;

2. Struts with less than 4000 hours -

for outer cylinder assembly of nose landing gear strut: within the next 200 hours;

for other parts of the nose landing gear strut: prior to achieving 4200 hours time in service;

3. Repeat the inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 hours for both (1) and (2) until affected parts are replaced by new parts identified with "SP".

Background: A recent report highlighted the discovery of a crack in the nose landing gear strut assembly. Action is required to detect possible fatigue cracks and prevent damage or failure of the nose landing gear strut assembly. This amendment has been raised to bring the A.D. to the current JCAB TCD status, which requires inspection of the outer cylinder assembly within the next 200 hours.