Safety Concern:
The Honda HA-420 (HondaJet) experiences runway excursions at a higher rate than other, similar airplanes. A total of thirty-nine lateral excursions and overruns have been reported since the airplane was certified. Aircraft runway excursions can result in substantial damage to the airplane with potential for serious injuries or fatalities. Multiple disciplines from the FAA reviewed the concerns associated with the Honda HA-420 runway excursions. Data collected from the Honda HA-420 runway excursion events indicates that failure to follow the AFM techniques was a factor in a significant number of reported runway excursions.
Safety Recommendations:
While the HA-420 is not a difficult aircraft to land, a specific technique is required. Review the following points:
- Perform landing procedure as outlined in the Performance Introduction section of the HondaJet Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
- Fly Vref with no additives. Incorporating Vref additives can negatively affect landing performance.
- Crosswind takeoffs and landings:
- Adhere to cautions, warnings, and critical crosswind piloting technique and procedures outlined in the Normal Procedures section of the HondaJet AFM.
- AFM crosswind limitations must not be exceeded.
- Consider runway conditions when completing Runway Performance calculations:
- AFM Performance Section - Dry, paved, hard runway surface.
- Honda Aircraft Service Bulletin SB-420-42-019 provides Wet and Contaminated (W&C) AFM Supplement and installs matching W&C TOLD software database effective for Serial Numbers (SN)12 through SN 234.
- Service Letter (SL) SL-420-00-005 provides instructions for obtaining the Elite II W&C AFM Supplement.
- Takeoff and Landing Data (TOLD) – Garmin G3000 Pilot’s Guide, Flight Management Section, Landing Data.
- Honda Aircraft has worked with ForeFlight to include W&C runway performance planning in the application for the HA-420.
Review the following informational videos to avoid HondaJet HA-420 runway excursions:
If you have any questions, please contact:
Trevor Carlton
Aviation Safety Engineer (Mechanical Systems)
Trevor.P.Carlton@faa.gov
(404) 474-5597
