Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16821-16824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06527]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0485; Project Identifier AD-2024-00670-A; 
Amendment 39-23293; AD 2026-06-71]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-22-12 
for certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. 
AD 2021-22-12 required removing and cleaning the inner diameter of the 
flap control pushrod assemblies and repetitively applying corrosion 
inhibiting compound (CIC) to this area. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-
22-12, new flap control pushrods have been approved that are more 
corrosion resistant and do not require repetitive CIC applications. In 
addition, referenced service material has been updated to a new 
revision that includes redesigned replacement flap control pushrod 
assemblies that have been modified to prevent interference with 
adjacent parts. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2021-22-12 and 
requires replacing the flap control pushrod assemblies with improved 
design pushrod assemblies for all airplanes affected by AD 2021-22-12, 
as well as for other airplanes not affected by AD 2021-22-12. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 8, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 8, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 19, 
2021 (86 FR 60753, November 4, 2021).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0485; or in person at

[[Page 16822]]

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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Honda Aircraft Company material identified in this AD, 
contact Honda, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410; phone: (336) 
662-0246; website: hondajet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, 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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0485.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Fichter, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337: (404) 474-
5544; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-22-12, Amendment 39-21785 (86 FR 
60753, November 4, 2021) (AD 2021-22-12). AD 2021-22-12 applied to 
certain Honda Model HA-420 airplanes. AD 2021-22-12 required removing 
and cleaning the inner diameter of the flap control pushrods and 
repetitively applying CIC to this area to prevent corrosion. The NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2025 (90 FR 15426). 
The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer developing improved flap 
control pushrods that are more corrosion resistant and do not require 
repetitive CIC applications. The manufacturer also determined that the 
applicability should be expanded to include airplanes with serial 
number 42000211, 42000212, and 42000215 through 42000287, as these 
airplanes also have an affected flap pushrod assembly installed.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-22-12. The SNPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2025 (90 FR 60029). 
The SNPRM was prompted by the discovery that the updated outboard 
corrosion resistant pushrods could interfere with the mid flap drive 
arms when fully deployed. As a result of this finding, the manufacturer 
published updated service material that includes a modified design of 
the flap control pushrod assembly to prevent interference with adjacent 
parts. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require retaining all of the 
requirements of AD 2021-22-12. The SNPRM also proposed to require 
expanding the applicability to include additional airplanes, and 
replacing the flap control pushrod assemblies with new corrosion-
resistant flap control pushrod assemblies as terminating action for the 
repetitive CIC applications required by AD 2021-22-12. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting the 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 SNPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. 
SB-420-27-009, Revision B, dated August 5, 2025. This material 
specifies procedures for replacing the flap control pushrod assemblies 
with improved design flap control pushrod assemblies.
    This AD also requires Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin 
No. SB-420-27-008, dated August 31, 2021, which the Director of the 
Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of November 
19, 2021 (86 FR 60753, November 4, 2021).
    This material 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 107 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Cost per
               Action                        Labor cost         Parts cost    product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove, clean, and apply CIC to the   22 work-hours x $85 per          $70       $1,940  $85,360 (44 airplanes).
 flap control pushrod assembly         hour = $1,870.
 (retained from AD 2021-22-12).
Reapply CIC every 90 days (cost for   1 work-hour x $85 per             70          155  $6,820 (44 airplanes).
 each time) (retained from AD 2021-    hour = $85.
 22-12).
Replace the left and right inboard    22 work-hours x $85 per        5,168        7,038  $753,066 (107
 flap control pushrod assemblies.      hour = $1,870.                                     airplanes).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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.

[[Page 16823]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-22-12, Amendment 39-21785 (86 
FR 60753, November 4, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2026-06-71 Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Amendment 39-23293; Docket 
No. FAA-2025-0485; Project Identifier AD-2024-00670-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 8, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-22-12, Amendment 39-21785 (86 FR 60753, 
November 4, 2021) (AD 2021-22-12).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Honda Aircraft Company LLC 
Model HA-420 airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Group 1 airplanes: serial numbers 42000153 through 42000158 
and 42000160 through 42000206; and
    (2) Group 2 airplanes: serial numbers 42000211, 42000212, and 
42000215 through 42000287.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2752, Trailing Edge 
Flap Actuator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the flap pushrod 
assemblies are susceptible to corrosion. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the flap control pushrod assembly. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontrolled and un-
annunciated flap asymmetry with consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Actions From AD 2021-22-12 for Group 1 Airplanes

    (1) Within 90 days after November 19, 2021 (the effective date 
of AD 2021-22-12), or 18 months after issuance of the first standard 
certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs later: Remove, clean, 
apply corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) to, and reinstall the left 
and right inboard and outboard flap control pushrod assemblies by 
following steps (3) through (6) of the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-008, 
dated August 31, 2021.
    (2) Within 90 days or 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever 
occurs first after accomplishing the actions required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 90 days 
or 300 hours TIS, whichever occurs first: Reapply CIC by following 
step (5)(a) through (c) of the Accomplishment Instructions in Honda 
Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-008, dated 
August 31, 2021.

(h) New Required Actions for Group 1 and Group 2 Airplanes

    (1) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the flap control pushrod assemblies with redesigned (zero hours TIS) 
flap control pushrod assemblies in accordance with steps (3) through 
(5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in Honda Aircraft Company 
Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-009 Revision B, dated August 5, 
2025.
    (2) For Group 1 airplanes, accomplishing the replacement 
required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD terminates the requirements 
of paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.

(i) Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane, an inboard or outboard flap control pushrod assembly part 
number that is identified in the Effectivity section of Honda 
Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-009 Revision 
B, dated August 5, 2025.

(j) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-
420-27-008, dated August 31, 2021, and Alert Service Bulletin No. 
SB-420-27-009, Revision B, dated August 5, 2025, specify to submit 
certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include 
those requirements.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, East Certification 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 East Certification Branch, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (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 material that contains steps that are labeled as 
Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (k)(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.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kelly Fichter, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5544; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on May 8, 2026.
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-
009, Revision B, dated August 5, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on November 19, 
2021 (86 FR 60753, November 4, 2021).
    (i) Honda Aircraft Company Alert Service Bulletin No. SB-420-27-
008, dated August 31, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Honda Aircraft Company material identified in this AD, 
contact Honda Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, 
NC 27410; phone: (336) 662-0246; website: hondajet.com.
    (6) You may view this material 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.

[[Page 16824]]

    (7) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on March 20, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06527 Filed 4-2-26; 8:45 am]
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