FAA recommends wing inspections for MU–2B turboprops

In a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) issued June 10, the FAA cited past detailed teardown inspections of MU–2B airplane wings carried out under the type’s aging aircraft program that found cracks in the wing spacer plates attached to the forward lower spar area at wing station 580.

“It was determined that the cracks resulted from fatigue caused by flight loads,” the SAIB notes. It said MU–2 Service Bulletin No. 245, dated April 21, 2016, and MU–2 Service Bulletin No. 107/57-005, dated May 3, 2016, describe procedures for conducting “a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the wing spacer plates for cracks and replacing cracked wing spacer plates with an improved part.”

“In the event cracks are found and subsequent maintenance is performed in the area of the wing spacer plate that allows for access to the wing spacer plate, the FAA recommends that owners and operators replace the wing spacer plates,” the SAIB notes, referring aircraft operators to the service bulletins for detailed instructions on how to proceed.