The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Airworthiness Directive to Honda Aircraft Co. regarding faulty windshield heater mechanisms in one model of Honda airplanes.
The FAA directed the manufacturer to revise the airplane flight manual and quick reference handbook for Honda Model HA-420 airplanes to account for a defect in the wiring for the windshield heater until the affected windshield is replaced.
The agency received a report of in-flight smoke and fire that started with the windshield heat power wire braid. The FAA issued the directive to prevent arcing of the windshield heat power wire braid, which could ignite the wire sheathing, sealant, and windshield acrylic, causing possible smoke and fire in the cockpit.
The modified procedures for windshield heat operation remain in place until the affected windshield assemblies are replaced.
Read more on the Federal Register.
