Document ID: FAA-2018-0513-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Honda Aircraft Company LLC
Posted Date: 2018-06-07T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26381-26383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12127]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 110 / Thursday, June 7, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 26381]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0513; Product Identifier 2018-CE-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-
05, which applies to certain Honda Aircraft Company (Honda) LLC Model 
HA-420 airplanes. AD 2018-11-05 requires incorporating a temporary 
revision into the airplane flight manual and replacing the faulty power 
brake valve (PBV) upon condition. Since AD 2018-11-05 was issued as an 
interim action in order to address the need for the immediate detection 
of a faulty PBV, we are issuing this proposed AD to address the long-
term corrective action. This proposed AD would retain the actions 
required in AD 2018-11-05, would require replacing the faulty PBV with 
an improved design part at a specified time, and would prohibit future 
installations of the faulty PBVs on all Honda Model HA-420 airplanes. 
We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 23, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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.

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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0513; 
Product Identifier 2018-CE-013-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    We issued AD 2018-11-05, Amendment 39-19293 (83 FR 24016, May 24, 
2018), (``AD 2018-11-05), for certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC 
(Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. AD 2018-11-05 requires inserting a 
temporary revision into the airplane flight manual (AFM), which 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 the AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 
CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). AD 2018-11-05 also requires a conditional 
replacement of the installed power brake valve (PBV), 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 
reveals a leaking PBV. In addition, AD 2018-11-05 provides an optional 
terminating action for inserting the temporary revision into the AFM by 
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. AD 2018-11-05 resulted from 
reports of unannunciated asymmetric braking during ground operations 
and landing deceleration.
    We issued AD 2018-11-05 to prevent failure of the PBV, which could 
cause degraded braking performance and reduced directional control 
during ground operations and landing deceleration.

Actions Since AD 2018-11-05 Was Issued

    Since AD 2018-11-05 was issued as an interim action in order to 
address the need for the immediate detection of a faulty PBV (the 
short-term action of inserting the temporary revision into the AFM), we 
are issuing this proposed AD to address the long-term corrective action 
(replacing the PBV).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Honda Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 01.1, 
dated February 16, 2018, to the Honda Aircraft Company HA-420 Airplane 
Flight Manual and Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, dated January 8, 
2018, and

[[Page 26382]]

Revision B, dated April 16, 2018. Temporary Revision TR 01.1, dated 
February 16, 2018, to the HA-420 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) describes 
procedures for performing pilot checks of the braking system during 
ground operations before every flight and before every landing and 
includes instructions for corrective actions if any indication of a 
leaking PBV is found. Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, dated January 8, 
2018, and Revision B, dated April 16, 2018, describes procedures for 
replacing a defective PBV with an improved design 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.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-11-05. 
This proposed AD would also require replacing the installed PBV, P/N 
HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-101-007, with the improved design 
PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, at a specified time.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Honda Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, dated January 8, 2018, and 
Revision B, dated April 16, 2018, specify submitting certain 
information to the manufacturer. This AD does not require that action.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 72 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insert temporary revision into the  1 work-hour x $85 per  Not applicable.......             $85          $6,120
 airplane flight manual.             hour = $85.
Replace the power brake valve       20 work-hours x $85    $21,878..............          23,578       1,697,616
 (PBV).                              per hour = $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Replacing the PBV was provided as an on-condition cost and 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 proposed replacement. Therefore, we have included a 
total cost for all affected airplanes.
    The difference in the Cost of Compliance between AD 2018-11-05 and 
this proposed AD is the proposed requirement to replace the power brake 
valve at a specified time.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Docket No. FAA-2018-0513; Product 
Identifier 2018-CE-013-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 23, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

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

[[Page 26383]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Honda Aircraft Company LLC Model HA-420 
airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Have power brake valve, 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 power brake valve (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 Aircraft Company Temporary 
Revision TR 01.1, dated February 16, 2018, into the Honda Aircraft 
Company (Honda) HA-420 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) (``the temporary 
revision''). 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)-(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) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Honda Service Bulletin SB-420-32-001, dated January 8, 
2018, and Revision B, dated April 16, 2018, specify submitting 
certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require 
that action.

(i) 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 design 
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, or Revision B, dated April 16, 2018. 
Before further flight after installing P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, remove 
the temporary revision from the Honda HA-420 AFM.

(j) Optional Terminating Action for Inserting the AFM Temporary 
Revision/Pilot Checks

    (1) Instead of inserting the temporary revision or at any time 
after inserting the temporary revision required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD and before the mandatory replacement required in paragraph 
(j) of this AD, you may replace the installed PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-
101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-101-007, with the improved design 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, or Revision B, dated April 16, 2018. 
Before further flight after installing P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, remove 
the temporary revision from the Honda HA-420 AFM.
    (2) The on-condition replacement required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD is still required before further flight.

(k) Mandatory Replacement

    Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the installed PBV, P/N HJ1-13243-101-005 or P/N HJ1-13243-
101-007, with the improved design 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, 
or Revision B, dated April 16, 2018. Before further flight after 
installing P/N HJ1-13243-101-009, remove the temporary revision from 
the Honda HA-420 AFM.

(l) 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 service center with Honda 
Aircraft Company Temporary Revision TR 01.1, dated February 16, 
2018, incorporated into the Honda HA-420 AFM.

(m) 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 (n) 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 provisions of paragraphs (h) 
through (j) 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) 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].
    (2) For 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. 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 29, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2018-12127 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P