Rule2026-10606
Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 28, 2026
Effective
July 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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 tool damage to multiple locations on the interior fuselage skin fiber and the omission of certain service material from the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the maintenance manual. This AD requires incorporating certain material into the ALS of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31649-31651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10606]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0020; Project Identifier AD-2025-01374-A;
Amendment 39-23342; AD 2026-10-02]
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 tool damage to multiple locations on the
interior fuselage skin fiber and the omission of certain service
material from the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the
maintenance manual. This AD requires incorporating certain material
into the ALS of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for
continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 2, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0020; 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.
[[Page 31650]]
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Honda material identified in this AD, contact Honda,
6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410; phone: (336) 662-0246;
website: <a href="http://hondajet.com">hondajet.com</a>.
<bullet> 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. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Fichter, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone:
(404) 474-5544; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c88d8b8ae58b879b88aea9a9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="206563620d636f73604641410e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 Honda Model HA-
420 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2026 (91 FR 2720). The NPRM was prompted by a report of
tool damage to four locations on the interior fuselage skin fiber at
the forward pressure bulkhead ring angle and the omission of certain
service material from the ALS of the maintenance manual. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could cause crack propagation in the skin
and result in a pressurization leak and loss of pressurization.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require incorporating certain
material into the ALS of the existing maintenance manual or ICA and the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from an anonymous commenter. The
commenter supported the NPRM without change.
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. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Honda Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin
SB-420-53-009, dated April 26, 2023, which specifies serial numbers of
affected airplanes, compliance times, and procedures for a visual
inspection for defect conditions such as impact damage, burrs, gouges,
disbonding, blistering, and discoloration due to heat damage and other
surface irregularities. This material also specifies procedures for an
ultrasonic inspection of the fuselage skin for damage (local notches,
cracks), and repair. 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 218 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise the ALS........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $18,530
hour = $85.
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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:
2026-10-02 Honda Aircraft Company LLC: Amendment 39-23342; Docket
No. FAA-2026-0020; Project Identifier AD-2025-01374-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 2, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-
420 airplanes, serial numbers 42000012 through 42000230,
certificated in any category.
[[Page 31651]]
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5330, Fuselage Main,
Plate/Skin.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of tool damage to multiple
locations on the interior fuselage skin fiber at the forward
pressure bulkhead ring angle and the omission of certain service
material from the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the
maintenance manual. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address
tool damage to the interior fuselage skin fiber at the forward
pressure bulkhead ring angle. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could cause crack propagation in the skin and result in a
pressurization leak and loss of pressurization.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for
continued airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the information
specified in Honda Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-
420-53-009, dated April 26, 2023.
(2) The initial compliance time for accomplishing the actions
specified in Honda Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-
420-53-009, dated April 26, 2023, is before accumulating 6,000 total
flights or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
(h) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been
done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and
intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless approved as an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(i) 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 (j) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#edaca0a2aead8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="26676b69656640474708414950">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(j) 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6421272649272b37240205054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d383e3f503e322e3d1b1c1c531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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.
(i) Honda Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-420-53-
009, dated April 26, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Honda material identified in this AD, contact Honda
Aircraft Company LLC, 6430 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410;
phone: (336) 662-0246; website: <a href="http://hondajet.com">hondajet.com</a>.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3355411d5a5d40435650475a5c5d735d5241521d545c45"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aaccd884c3c4d9dacfc9dec3c5c4eac4cbd8cb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 6, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10606 Filed 5-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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