A-86-134
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT INTERNATIONAL, INC., TO ISSUE AN ADVISORY NOTICE TO ALL MITSUBISHI MU-2 OWNERS AND OPERATORS REGARDING PROPER AND SAFE OPERATION OF THE AUTO PILOT SYSTEM. THE ADVISORY SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE PROPER OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE FOR PREFLIGHT CHECKS OF THE AUTOPILOT, POINT OUT THE DESIGN AND FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCES OF AUTO PILOT/ELECTRIC TRIM DISENGAGE SWITCHES INSTALLED IN THE VARIOUS MU-2 MODELS, ILLUSTRATE ALL THE SECONDARY MEANS THAT MAY BE USED TO DISENGAGE THE AUTOPILOT, EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ASSURING THE READABILITY OF "AUTOPILOT DISENGAGE" AND "ELECTRIC TRIM DISENGAGE" MARKINGS ON THE CONTROL WHEEL, AND PROVIDE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES (DO'S AND DON'TS) FOR PROPER USE OF THE AUTOPILOT IN ALL PHASES OF FLIGHT.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The Federal Aviation Administration is asked to require Mitsubishi Aircraft International to issue an advisory notice to all Mitsubishi MU-2 owners and operators. The notice should cover proper autopilot preflight checks, differences in autopilot/electric trim disengage switches across MU-2 models, secondary disengagement methods, readability of markings, and operational dos and don'ts for autopilot use in all flight phases.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | May 18, 1987 |
| NTSB number | FTW86MA097 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).