The U. S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it had finalized a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) "that creates new pilot training, experience and operating requirements to increase the safety of the widely used Mitsubishi MU-2B airplane."The FAA undertook a safety evaluation of this aircraft type in late 2005, following an increase in the number of MU-2B accidents and safety incidents in 2004-05. That safety evaluation determined that changes in training and operating requirements were needed, and the FAA subsequently proposed a number of recommendations that were included in the SFAR, which was made final today.
The FAA says:
The final rule mandates a comprehensive standardized pilot training program for the MU-2B.The FAA notes that the rule "has widespread support from, among others, owners and operators of the MU-2B, the manufacturer, commercial operators and safety groups."
The regulation requires use of a standardized cockpit checklist and the latest revision of the Airplane Flight Manual.
MU-2B operators also must have a working autopilot onboard except in certain limited circumstances.
Owners and operators must comply with the SFAR within a year.
References:
- FAA Finalizes New Safety Rules for Mitsubishi MU-2B Cargo Plane - FAA, January 2008
- MU-2B Series Airplane Safety Evaluation Report - FAA, December 2005 (30 page 'pdf' file)
