[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14155-14158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05222]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0838; Project Identifier AD-2020-01590-A; 
Amendment 39-21965; AD 2022-05-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a report of in-flight smoke and fire that initiated 
from the windshield heat power wire braid. This AD requires 
incorporating temporary revisions into the airplane flight manual (AFM) 
and the quick reference handbook (QRH) that modify procedures for 
windshield heat

[[Page 14156]]

operation until the affected windshield assemblies are replaced. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 18, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 18, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Honda Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 
27410; phone: (336) 662-0246; website: http://www.hondajet.com. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0838.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0838; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Long, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: (404) 474-5578; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Honda Model HA-420 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 30, 2021 (86 FR 54126). The NPRM was prompted by 
a report of in-flight smoke and fire that initiated from the windshield 
heat power wire braid on a Honda Model HA-420 airplane. An 
investigation identified that certain Honda Model HA-420 airplanes 
could have a severed windshield heat power wire braid from installation 
of the windshield heat wiring during manufacture. The severed 
windshield heat power wire braid could cause arcing that ignites the 
wire sheathing and sealant and the windshield acrylic. This condition, 
if not addressed, could lead to cockpit smoke and fire. In the NPRM, 
the FAA proposed to require incorporating temporary revisions into the 
AFM and the QRH that modify procedures for windshield heat operation 
until the affected windshield assemblies are replaced. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from three commenters. The commenters 
were an individual, an anonymous commenter, and Honda. The following 
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to 
each comment.

Comment Regarding Whether Windshield Replacement Is Justified

    An individual requested that the NPRM be re-evaluated. The 
commenter stated that although fire is one of the greatest dangers in 
the cockpit, there is insufficient data to justify requiring windshield 
assembly replacement. The commenter noted that the proposed AD is based 
on a single occurrence of cockpit smoke and fire.
    The FAA considered not only the occurrence of cockpit smoke and 
fire but also the possible results of a severed windshield heat power 
wire braid. A severed windshield heat power wire braid could ignite the 
wire sheathing and sealant and the windshield acrylic and lead to 
cockpit smoke and fire. The FAA's analysis determined that an unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop in airplanes of the 
same type design. Accordingly, this condition warrants corrective 
action through an AD. The FAA did not change this AD based on this 
comment.

Request To Extend the Compliance Time for Replacing the Windshield 
Assembly

    Honda requested that the FAA extend the compliance time for 
replacing the windshield assembly in paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
from within 24 months to within 36 months after the effective date of 
the AD. In support, Honda stated that there is a shortage of parts due 
to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Honda 
explained that extending the compliance time would not increase risk to 
affected airplanes because of other mitigating actions in place, such 
as service information detailing the risk of windshield electrical 
arcing and the revised flight manual procedures, which reduce the 
exposure to an arcing event.
    The FAA has determined that the 24-month compliance time for 
windshield assembly replacement is the maximum time allowable for the 
affected airplanes to continue to safely operate. While the FAA makes 
every effort to avoid grounding aircraft, the FAA cannot base its AD 
action on whether spare parts are available or can be produced. 
However, operators may request approval to extend the compliance time 
as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under paragraph (j)(1) of 
this final rule, provided sufficient data are submitted. The FAA did 
not change this AD based on this comment.

Request To Consider Honda's Recommendation

    An anonymous commenter requested that the FAA consider Honda's 
recommendation to replace the windshield assembly and incorporate it 
into the mandatory maintenance of the airplane. The commenter stated 
that although Honda issued a service bulletin, the FAA did not include 
it in the NPRM.
    The commenter's requested change is not necessary because paragraph 
(h) of this AD already requires windshield assembly replacement in 
accordance with the steps in the Honda service bulletin. In addition, 
as 14 CFR part 39 requires that operators comply with ADs, replacement 
of the windshield assembly is mandatory. The FAA did not change this AD 
based on this comment.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following temporary revisions.
     Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJI-29001-003-001 Rev C.
     HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for 
Quick Reference Handbook HJ1-29000-007-001 Rev C.
     Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJ1-29001-003-001 Rev E.
     HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for 
Quick Reference

[[Page 14157]]

Handbook Normal Procedures Rev E, HJ1-29001-007-001.
    These temporary revisions provide modified procedures for 
windshield heat operation to reduce exposure to potential windshield 
heat for the applicable serial numbers specified on the documents.
    The FAA also reviewed Honda Service Bulletin SB-420-56-002, 
Revision B, dated April 19, 2021 (Honda SB-420-002B). The service 
bulletin specifies identifying and replacing affected windshield 
assemblies. The service bulletin also specifies removing the temporary 
revisions to the AFM, QRH, and electronic checklist (ECL) after the 
affected windshield assemblies have been replaced.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    Honda issued temporary revisions to the AFM, QRH, and ECL prior to 
issuing Honda SB-420-002B, which specifies replacement of the 
windshield assemblies. Honda SB-420-002B does not specify incorporating 
the temporary revisions to the AFM, QRH, and ECL but addresses removal 
if the temporary revisions were incorporated. This AD does not require 
incorporating or removing the temporary revisions to the ECL because 
the ECL is not part of the approved type design of the airplane. All 
pertinent requirements would be addressed through the AFM.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. There are 475 affected windshield assemblies worldwide, and 
the FAA has no way of knowing the number of affected windshield 
assemblies installed on U.S. airplanes. The estimated cost on U.S. 
operators reflects the maximum possible cost based on the 156 airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost             Parts cost             product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insert revised procedures in the   1 work-hour x $85    Not applicable..........             $85         $13,260
 AFM and QRH.                       per hour = $85.
* Windshield assembly replacement  154 work-hours x     $153,286................         166,376      25,954,656
 (both left and right assemblies).  $85 per hour =
                                    $13,090.
Remove revised procedures from     1 work-hour x $85    Not applicable..........              85          13,260
 the AFM and QRH.                   per hour = $85.
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* On most airplanes, both the left and right windshield assemblies have a serial number affected by the unsafe
  condition, and the above costs represents replacement of both the left and right windshield assemblies.
  However, some airplanes may only have one affected windshield assembly and not require replacement of both.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 airworthiness 
directive:

2022-05-13 Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Amendment 39-21965; Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0838; Project Identifier AD-2020-01590-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 18, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honda Aircraft Company LLC Model HA-420 
airplanes, serial numbers 42000011 through 42000179, 42000182, and 
42000187, certificated in any category, with a windshield assembly 
installed that has a part number and serial number listed in table 5 
of the Accomplishment Instructions in Honda Aircraft Company Alert 
Service Bulletin SB-420-56-002, Revision B, dated April 19, 2021 
(Honda SB-420-56-002, Revision B).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3040, Windshield/
Door Rain/Ice Removal.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of in-flight smoke and fire 
that initiated from the

[[Page 14158]]

windshield heat power wire braid. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent arcing of the windshield heat power wire braid, which could 
ignite the wire sheathing and sealant and the windshield acrylic. 
This condition, if not addressed, could lead to cockpit smoke and 
fire.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Temporary Revisions to the Airplane Flight Manuals (AFMs) and Quick 
Reference Handbooks (QRHs)

    (1) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing AFM and QRH for your airplane by inserting the pages 
identified in the applicable temporary revisions listed in 
paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iv) of this AD.
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJI-29001-003-001 Rev C.
    (ii) HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for Quick 
Reference Handbook HJ1-29000-007-001 Rev C.
    (iii) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJ1-29001-003-001 Rev E.
    (iv) HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for Quick 
Reference Handbook Normal Procedures Rev E, HJ1-29001-007-001.
    (2) The actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4), and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Windshield Assembly Replacement

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, for each 
windshield assembly with a part number and serial number listed in 
table 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Honda SB-420-56-002, 
Revision B, replace the windshield assembly in accordance with step 
(2) or (3) of the Accomplishment Instructions in Honda SB-420-56-
002, Revision B.

(i) Removal of Revisions to the AFMs and QRHs

    Before further flight after replacing the windshield assemblies 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, remove the AFM and QRH pages 
that were required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as ``Required for Compliance'' (RC), the following provisions apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Bryan Long, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJI-29001-003-001 Rev C.
    (ii) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 
2020, for Airplane Flight Manual HJ1-29001-003-001 Rev E.
    (iii) HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for 
Quick Reference Handbook HJ1-29000-007-001 Rev C.
    (iv) HondaJet Temporary Revision TR 04A-1, dated 2020, for Quick 
Reference Handbook Normal Procedures Rev E, HJ1-29001-007-001.
    (v) Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin SB-420-56-002, 
Revision B, dated April 19, 2021.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Honda 
Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410; 
phone: (336) 662-0246; website: https://www.hondajet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 25, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05222 Filed 3-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P