Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53368-53371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22750]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0513; Product Identifier 2018-CE-013-AD; Amendment 
39-19471; AD 2018-21-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-05 for 
certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. AD 
2018-11-05 required incorporating a temporary revision into the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) and replacing the faulty power brake valve 
(PBV) upon condition. We issued AD 2018-11-05 as a short-term action to 
address the immediate need to detect and replace a faulty PBV. This AD 
retains the actions required in AD 2018-11-05 and requires replacing 
the faulty PBV with the improved part. We are issuing this AD to 
address the long-term corrective action and address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 27, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 29, 2018 
(83 FR 24016, May 24, 2018).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in

[[Page 53369]]

this AD as of April 13, 2018 (83 FR 13401, March 29, 2018).

ADDRESSES: 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-
0513.

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-
0513; 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 address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) 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: 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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to remove AD 2018-11-05, Amendment 39-19293 (83 FR 24016, May 
24, 2018) (``AD 2018-11-05''), and add a new AD to correct an unsafe 
condition on certain Honda Model HA-420 airplanes. We issued AD 2018-
11-05 as a short-term immediate action to detect a faulty PBV. AD 2018-
11-05 required inserting a temporary revision into the AFM and 
replacing the installed PBV, part number (P/N) HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N 
HJ1-13243-101-007, with an improved PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, if any 
of the procedures listed in the AFM temporary revision revealed a 
leaking PBV. In addition, AD 2018-11-05 allowed replacing the installed 
P/N HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-101-007 with the improved P/N 
HJ1-13243-101-009 as an optional terminating action for the temporary 
revision procedures in the AFM. AD 2018-11-05 resulted from reports of 
unannunciated asymmetric braking during ground operations and landing 
deceleration.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2018 (83 FR 
26381). The NPRM was issued as follow-on rulemaking to propose the 
long-term actions necessary to address the faulty PBV. The NPRM 
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2018-11-05 and require 
replacing the installed PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-
101-007, with the improved PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, within 12 
months. We are issuing this AD to address the long-term corrective 
action.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We also removed the optional terminating 
action provision, which allowed operators to replace the PBV at any 
time to terminate the pre-flight checks in the AFM, because that 
provision was unnecessary. The requirement to replace the PBV within 12 
months of the effective date of this AD provides operators with that 
same option. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honda AFM Temporary Revision TR 01.1, dated February 
16, 2018 (temporary revision), Honda Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, 
dated January 8, 2018 (SB-420-32-001), and Honda Service Bulletin SB-
420-32-001, Revision B, dated April 16, 2018 (SB-420-32-001, Revision 
B). The temporary revision contains procedures for pilot checks of the 
braking system before every flight during ground operations and before 
every landing, procedures for landing with a leaking PBV, and 
procedures for rechecking the PBV for leaking after landing. The 
temporary revision also includes instructions for corrective actions if 
any indication of a leaking PBV is found after landing. SB-420-32-001 
and SB-420-32-001, Revision B both contain procedures for replacing a 
faulty PBV with an improved PBV. 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 Proposed AD and the Service Information

    SB-420-32-001 and SB-420-32-001, Revision B specify submitting 
certain information to the manufacturer. This AD does not require that 
action.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 72 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insert temporary revision into   1 work-hour x $85   Not applicable.............             $85          $6,120
 the AFM.                         per hour = $85.
Replace the power brake valve    20 work-hours x     $21,878....................          23,578       1,697,616
 (PBV).                           $85 per hour =
                                  $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We provided the cost of replacing the PBV as an on-condition cost 
based on the procedures in the temporary revision and as an optional 
terminating action in AD 2018-11-05. We have no way of determining how 
many owner/operators of the affected airplanes may have already done 
this replacement. Therefore, we have included a total cost for all 
affected airplanes.
    The difference in the Cost of Compliance between AD 2018-11-05

[[Page 53370]]

and this AD is the requirement to replace the power brake valve.

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

    We have determined that 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) 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2018-11-05, Amendment 39-19293 (83 FR 24016, May 24, 2018), and adding 
the following new AD:

2018-21-13 Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Amendment 39-19471; Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0513; Product Identifier 2018-CE-013-AD.

 (a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 27, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-11-05, Amendment 39-19293 (83 FR 24016, 
May 24, 2018) (``AD 2018-11-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-
420 airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Have power brake valve (PBV), part number (P/N) HJ1-13243-
101-005 or HJ1-13243-101-007, installed; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of unannunciated asymmetric 
braking during ground operations and landing deceleration. We are 
issuing this AD to detect failure of the PBV. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in degraded braking performance and 
reduced directional control during ground operations and landing 
deceleration.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Insert Temporary Revision Into the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    Before further flight after May 29, 2018 (the effective date 
retained from AD 2018-11-05) insert Honda Temporary Revision TR 
01.1, dated February 16, 2018 (temporary revision), into the Honda 
HA-420 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The procedures listed in the 
temporary revision are required while operating with PBV P/N HJ1-
13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-101-007 installed. This insertion and 
the steps therein may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered 
into the airplane 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) Replace the Power Brake Valve

    As of and at any time after May 29, 2018 (the effective date 
retained from AD 2018-11-05), if any of the procedures listed in the 
temporary revision referenced in paragraph (g) of this AD reveal a 
leaking PBV, before further flight, replace the installed PBV, P/N 
HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-101-007, with the improved PBV, 
P/N HJ1-13243-101-009. The replacement must be done using the 
Accomplishment Instructions in either Honda Service Bulletin SB-420-
32-001, dated January 8, 2018 (SB-420-32-001), or Honda Service 
Bulletin SB-420-32-001, Revision B, dated April 16, 2018 (SB-420-32-
001, Revision B). Before further flight after installing P/N HJ1-
13243-101-009, remove the temporary revision from the Honda HA-420 
AFM.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although SB-420-32-001 and SB-420-32-001, Revision B specify 
submitting certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(j) Mandatory Replacement

    Within the next 12 months after November 27, 2018 (the effective 
date of this AD), if not previously done as a result of paragraph 
(h) of this AD, replace the installed PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-005 or 
P/N HJ1-13243-101-007, with the improved PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-009. 
The replacement must be done using the Accomplishment Instructions 
in either SB-420-32-001 or SB-420-32-001, Revision B. Before further 
flight after installing P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, remove the temporary 
revision from the Honda HA-420 AFM.

(k) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits for the AFM Limitations portion of this 
AD are prohibited. Special flight permits for the PBV replacement 
required in this AD are permitted with the following limitations: 
One ferry flight, including fuel stops, to a service center with the 
temporary revision incorporated into the Honda HA-420 AFM.

(l) 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 (m) of this AD.

[[Page 53371]]

    (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 provisions of paragraphs 
(l)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD 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.

(m) 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].

(n) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 13, 2018 (83 FR 13401, March 29, 2018).
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 01.1, dated 
February 16, 2018.
    (ii) Honda Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, 
dated January 8, 2018.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 29, 2018 (83 FR 24016, May 24, 2018).
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, 
Revision B, dated April 16, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0513.
    (7) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation 
Division.
[FR Doc. 2018-22750 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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