Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38657-38660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15978]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2018 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 38657]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0688; Product Identifier 2018-CE-026-AD; Amendment 
39-19338; AD 2018-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Honda Aircraft Company LLC Model HA-420 airplanes. This AD requires 
incorporating new and revised airworthiness limitations into the 
airplane's maintenance program. This AD was prompted by a report that 
several maintenance tasks were omitted from the airworthiness 
limitations section of the Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. Model HA-420 
Airworthiness Limitation and Inspection Manual (ALIM). We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 13, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Honda Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, North 
Carolina 27410; telephone (336) 662-0246; internet: http://www.hondajet.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0688.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0688; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Kovitch, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: (404) 474-5570; fax: (404) 474-5605; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    Honda Aircraft Company LLC has informed us that several required 
maintenance tasks driven by system safety assessment requirements were 
inadvertently omitted from or listed incorrectly in the airworthiness 
limitations section of the Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. Model HA-420 
ALIM with a revision level prior to Revision C1 and dated earlier than 
May 1, 2018. Additional airworthiness limitations, additional 
maintenance tasks for various systems, and reduced compliance times for 
existing maintenance tasks are necessary to maintain all airplanes in a 
condition for safe operation.
    In addition, we determined that some airplanes may have exceeded 
the new maintenance intervals once the ALIM was revised, including but 
not limited to:
    1. Latent failure mode of the Wing Anti-Ice Crossflow Valve 
(WAIXV): This condition would prevent the opening of the WAIXV when 
commanded and could result in loss of control of the airplane if one 
bleed air source becomes unavailable while operating in icing 
conditions. An existing ice protection system check would identify this 
condition; however, the system check was not located in the 
airworthiness limitations section of the ALIM. The revised ALIM 
relocates the system check to the airworthiness limitations section and 
reduces the system check intervals from 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
to 300 hours TIS.
    2. Latent failures in the brake and emergency accumulators: The 
hydraulic power system check for identifying and correcting potential 
latent failures in the brake and emergency accumulators contained 
incorrect procedures and was not located in the airworthiness 
limitations section of the ALIM. Honda corrected these procedures and 
superseded the current procedures (-801) with the new procedures (-
802). The revised ALIM lists the correct procedures for the hydraulic 
power system check and relocates this check to the airworthiness 
limitations section.
    These conditions, if not addressed, could result in failures in 
various airplane systems, including but not limited to the hydraulic 
and ice protection systems, which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honda Aircraft Company HA-420 Airworthiness Limitation 
and Inspection Manual ``Airworthiness Limitations--Inspection/Check'' 
(Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00), dated May 1, 2018. The 
service information contains airworthiness limitations, additional 
maintenance tasks for various

[[Page 38658]]

systems, and reduced compliance times for existing maintenance tasks, 
including but not limited to the hydraulic and ice protection systems. 
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.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of 
the maintenance program by replacing Airworthiness Limitations section 
05-60-00 with an issue date earlier than May 1, 2018, with the revised 
Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00, dated May 1, 2018. 
Incorporating these airworthiness limitations makes them mandatory 
(reference 14 CFR 43.16 and 14 CFR 91.403(c)). For airplanes that have 
exceeded the new maintenance intervals, compliance with replacement 
times or inspection intervals is required before further flight once 
the limitations are incorporated. Operators have the compliance time 
period of the AD to plan for any immediate maintenance action required 
by the new limitations. This includes, but is not limited to the 
following:
    <bullet> The 600-hour TIS ice protection system check, AMM Task 
Reference 30-10-01-700-801, previously located in the Scheduled 
Inspections section 05-20-00, has been relocated to the Airworthiness 
Limitations section 05-60-00, and reduced to a 300-hour TIS interval. 
Airplanes that have exceeded 300 hours TIS since the ice protection 
system check was last performed must have the ice protection system 
check within the compliance time specified in paragraph (f) of the AD. 
This AD allows a credit for airplanes that had the system check at the 
previous 600-hour TIS interval but have not exceeded 300 hours TIS 
since the last check and the WAIXV passed the functionality check 
contained in the procedure.
    <bullet> The 600-hour TIS hydraulic power system check, AMM Task 
Reference 29-00-01-700-801, previously located in the Scheduled 
Inspections section 05-20-00, has been relocated to the Airworthiness 
Limitations section 05-60-00, and revised to AMM Task Reference 29-00-
01-700-802. Airplanes that had the system check per the previous 
incorrect version of the maintenance task (29-00-01-700-801) at 600 
hours TIS must have the inspection done before further flight after 
incorporating the airworthiness limitations.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because exceeding certain maintenance intervals and/or limitations 
could cause failures in various airplane systems, including but not 
limited to the hydraulic and ice protection systems, which could result 
in loss of control. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, 
for the reasons stated above, we find that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0688 and Product Identifier 2018-CE-026-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 96 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporate the revised            1 work-hour x $85 per     Not applicable.....             $85          $8,160
 Airworthiness Limitations          hour = $85.
 section 05-60-00 into the ALIM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    We are 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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

[[Page 38659]]

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2018-15-06 Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Amendment 39-19338; Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0688; Product Identifier 2018-CE-026-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 13, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honda Aircraft Company LLC Model HA-420 
airplanes with a serial number in the range of 42000011 through 
42000112, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that several required 
maintenance tasks were omitted from ``Airworthiness Limitations--
Inspection/Check'' (Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00), of 
the Honda Aircraft Company HA-420 Airworthiness Limitation and 
Inspection Manual (ALIM), with a revision level prior to C1 and 
dated earlier than May 1, 2018. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failures in various airplane systems, including but not limited to 
the hydraulic and ice protection systems, which could result in loss 
of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with the action of this AD within 30 days after August 
13, 2018 (the effective date of this AD) or within 15 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after August 13, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first, unless already done. The airworthiness 
limitations section revision required in paragraph (g) of this AD 
contains new and reduced inspection intervals. Once you comply with 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if the hours TIS of your airplane exceed 
the threshold of any new limitation, you are required to comply with 
the replacement times or inspection intervals before further flight. 
This includes, but is not limited to, the following revised 
inspections:
    (1) The 600-hour TIS interval ice protection system check, AMM 
Task Reference 30-10-01-700-801, previously located in the Scheduled 
Inspections section 05-20-00, has been relocated to the 
Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00, and reduced to a 300-
hour TIS interval.
    (2) The 600-hour TIS interval hydraulic power system check (AMM 
Task Reference 29-00-01-700-801), previously located in the 
Scheduled Inspections section 05-20-00, has been relocated to the 
Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00 and revised to AMM Task 
Reference 29-00-01-700-802.

(g) Airworthiness Limitations Revision

    Revise the airworthiness limitations section of the maintenance 
program by replacing Airworthiness Limitations section 05-60-00 with 
an issue date earlier than May 1, 2018, with Airworthiness 
Limitations section 05-60-00, ``Airworthiness Limitation--
Inspection/Check,'' dated May 1, 2018. Incorporating these 
airworthiness limitations makes them mandatory (reference 14 CFR 
43.16 and 14 CFR 91.403(c)).

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airworthiness Limitations 
section 05-60-00 is contained in the Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. 
Model HA-420 ALIM.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After revising the airworthiness limitations section as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative replacement times or 
inspection intervals may be approved unless the actions and/or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this 
AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the 600-hour TIS ice protection system check, AMM 
Task Reference 30-10-01-700-801 located in the Scheduled Inspections 
section 05-20-00, is considered acceptable for compliance with the 
300-hour TIS interval ice protection system check, AMM Task 
Reference 30-10-01-700-801 located in the Airworthiness Limitations 
section 05-60-00, dated May 1, 2018, if:
    (1) The wing anti-ice crossflow valve (WAIXV) passed the 
functionality check contained in the procedure; and
    (2) The airplane has not exceeded 300 hours TIS since the ice 
protection check was last performed.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) 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 (l) 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Kovitch, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5570; fax: (404) 474-
5605; email: [email protected].

(m) 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, Inc. Model HA-420 Airworthiness 
Limitation and Inspection Manual ``Airworthiness Limitations--
Inspection/Check,'' (Airworthiness Limitations section (05-60-00)), 
dated May 1, 2018.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Honda Aircraft Company LLC service information 
identified in this AD, contact Honda Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 
Ballinger Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27410; telephone (336) 
662-0246; internet: http://www.hondajet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view the 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 38660]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 19, 2018.
Pat Mullen,
Aircraft Certification Service, Acting Deputy Director, Policy and 
Innovation Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2018-15978 Filed 8-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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