80_FR_19960 80 FR 19889 - Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 HondaJet, Lithium-Ion Batteries

80 FR 19889 - Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 HondaJet, Lithium-Ion Batteries

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)

Page Range19889-19892
FR Document2015-08586

This action proposes special conditions for the Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19889-19892]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08586]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0721; Notice No. 23-15-03-SC]


Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 
HondaJet, Lithium-Ion Batteries

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Honda Aircraft 
Company, Model HA-420 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or 
unusual design feature associated with the installation of lithium-ion 
(Li-ion) batteries. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not 
contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design 
feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional 
safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to 
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the 
existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: Send your comments on or before May 4, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2015-0721] 
using any of the following methods:
    [ssquf] Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    [ssquf] Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    [ssquf] Hand Delivery of Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    [ssquf] Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information 
the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web 
site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments 
received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual 
sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can 
be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les Lyne, Policies & Procedures 
Branch, ACE-114, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329-4171; facsimile (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. We ask 
that you send us two copies of written comments.
    We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing 
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is 
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change 
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.

[[Page 19890]]

Background

    On October 11, 2006, Honda Aircraft Company applied for a type 
certificate for their new Model HA-420. On October 10, 2013, Honda 
Aircraft Company requested an extension with an effective application 
date of October 1, 2013. This extension changed the type certification 
basis to amendment 23-62.
    The HA-420 is a four to five passenger (depending on 
configuration), two crew, lightweight business jet with a 43,000-foot 
service ceiling and a maximum takeoff weight of 9963 pounds. The 
airplane is powered by two GE-Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF-120 turbofan 
engines.
    The current regulatory requirements for part 23 airplanes do not 
contain adequate requirements for the application of Li-ion batteries 
in airborne applications. This type of battery possesses certain 
failure, operational characteristics, and maintenance requirements that 
differ significantly from that of the nickel cadmium and lead acid 
rechargeable batteries currently approved in other normal, utility, 
acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes. Therefore, the FAA is 
proposing this special condition to require that all characteristics of 
the rechargeable lithium batteries and their installation that could 
affect safe operation of the HA-420 are addressed, and appropriate 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness which include maintenance 
requirements are established to ensure the availability of electrical 
power from the batteries when needed.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Honda Aircraft Company must 
show that the HA-420 meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as 
amended by Amendments 23-1 through 23-62 thereto.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the HA-420 because of a novel or 
unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the HA-420 must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust 
emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification 
requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a finding of 
regulatory adequacy under section 611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise 
Control Act of 1972.''
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type-
certification basis under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The HA-420 will incorporate the following novel or unusual design 
feature: The installation of Li-ion batteries.
    The current regulatory requirements for part 23 airplanes do not 
contain adequate requirements for the application of Li-ion batteries 
in airborne applications. This type of battery possesses certain 
failure, operational characteristics, and maintenance requirements that 
differ significantly from that of the nickel cadmium and lead acid 
rechargeable batteries currently approved in other normal, utility, 
acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes.

Discussion

    The applicable parts 21 and 23 airworthiness regulations governing 
the installation of batteries in general aviation airplanes, including 
Sec.  23.1353, were derived from Civil Air Regulations (CAR 3) as part 
of the recodification that established 14 CFR part 23. The battery 
requirements, which are identified in Sec.  23.1353, were a rewording 
of the CAR requirements that did not add any substantive technical 
requirements. An increase in incidents involving battery fires and 
failures that accompanied the increased use of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) 
batteries in aircraft resulted in rulemaking activities on the battery 
requirements for transport category airplanes. These regulations were 
incorporated into Sec.  23.1353(f) and (g), which apply only to Ni-Cad 
battery installations.
    The proposed use of Li-ion batteries on the HA-420 airplane has 
prompted the FAA to review the adequacy of the existing battery 
regulations with respect to that chemistry. As the result of this 
review, the FAA has determined that the existing regulations do not 
adequately address several failure, operational, and maintenance 
characteristics of Li-ion batteries that could affect safety of the 
battery installation of the HA-420 airplane electrical power supply.
    The introduction of Li-ion batteries into aircraft raises some 
concern about associated battery/cell monitoring systems and how these 
may affect utilization of an otherwise ``good'' battery as an energy 
source to the electrical system when monitoring components fail. 
Associated battery/cell monitoring systems (i.e., temperature, state of 
charge, etc.) should be evaluated/tested with respect the expected 
extremes in the aircraft operating environment.
    Li-ion batteries typically have different electrical impedance 
characteristics than lead-acid or Ni-Cad batteries. Honda Aircraft 
Company needs to evaluate other components of the aircraft electrical 
system with respect to these characteristics.
    At present, there is very limited experience regarding the use of 
Li-ion rechargeable batteries in applications involving commercial 
aviation. However, other users of this technology range from wireless 
telephone manufacturers to the electric vehicle industry and have noted 
significant safety issues regarding the use of these types of 
batteries, some of which are described in the following paragraphs:
    1. Overcharging. In general, lithium batteries are significantly 
more susceptible to internal failures that can result in self-
sustaining increases in temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal 
runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or lead-acid counterparts. This is 
especially true for overcharging, which causes heating and 
destabilization of the components of the cell, leading to the formation 
(by plating) of highly unstable metallic lithium. The metallic lithium 
can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining fire or explosion. Finally, 
the severity of thermal runaway due to overcharging increases with 
increasing battery capacity due to the higher amount of electrolyte in 
large batteries.
    2. Over-discharging. Discharge of some types of lithium battery 
cells beyond a certain voltage (typically 2.4 volts) can cause 
corrosion of the electrodes of the cell; resulting in loss of battery 
capacity that cannot be reversed by recharging. This loss of capacity 
may not be detected by the simple voltage measurements commonly 
available to flight crews as a means of checking battery status--a 
problem shared with nickel-cadmium batteries.
    3. Flammability of Cell Components: Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-
acid batteries, some types of lithium batteries use liquid electrolytes 
that are flammable. The electrolyte can serve as a source of fuel for 
an external fire if

[[Page 19891]]

there is a breach of the battery container.
    These safety issues experienced by users of lithium batteries raise 
concern about the use of these batteries in commercial aviation. The 
intent of the proposed special condition is to establish appropriate 
airworthiness standards for lithium battery installations in the HA-420 
and to ensure, as required by Sec. Sec.  23.1309 and 23.601, that these 
battery installations are not hazardous or unreliable.
    Additionally, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics 
(RTCA), in a joint effort with the FAA and industry, has released RTCA/
DO-311, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Rechargeable 
Lithium Battery Systems, which gained much of its text directly from 
previous Li-ion special conditions. Honda Aircraft Company proposes to 
use DO-311 as the primary methodology for assuring the battery will 
perform its intended functions safely as installed in the HA-420 
airplane and as the basis for test and qualification of the battery. 
This Special Condition incorporates applicable portions of DO-311.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
HA-420. Should Honda Aircraft Company apply at a later date for a 
change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating 
the same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would 
apply to that model as well.
    Provisional certification of the HA-420 is currently scheduled for 
June 2015. The substance of these special conditions has been subject 
to the notice and public-comment procedure in several prior instances, 
specifically special conditions 23-236-SC, 23-247-SC, and 23-249-SC. 
Therefore, because a delay would significantly affect the applicant's 
both installation of the system and certification of the airplane, we 
are shortening the public-comment period to 20 days.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Proposed Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for Honda Aircraft Company, HA-420 airplanes.

1. Lithium-Ion Battery Installation

    a. Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during 
any probable charging or discharging condition, or during any failure 
of the charging or battery monitoring system not shown to be extremely 
remote. The applicant must design Li-ion battery installation to 
preclude explosion or fire in the event of those failures.
    b. The applicant must design the Li-ion batteries to preclude the 
occurrence of self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or 
pressure.
    c. No explosive or toxic gasses emitted by any Li-ion battery in 
normal operation or as the result of any failure of the battery 
charging or monitoring system, or battery installation not shown to be 
extremely remote, may accumulate in hazardous quantities within the 
airplane.
    d. Li-ion batteries that contain flammable fluids must comply with 
the flammable fluid fire protection requirements of Sec.  23.863(a) 
through (d).
    e. No corrosive fluids or gasses that may escape from any Li-ion 
battery may damage surrounding airplane structure or adjacent essential 
equipment.
    f. The applicant must provide provision for each installed Li-ion 
battery to prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential 
systems that may be caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery 
can generate during a short circuit of the battery or of its individual 
cells.
    g. Li-ion battery installations must have--
    (1) A system to control the charging rate of the battery 
automatically so as to prevent battery overheating or overcharging; or
    (2) A battery temperature sensing and over-temperature warning 
system with a means for automatically disconnecting the battery from 
its charging source in the event of an over-temperature condition; or
    (3) A battery failure sensing and warning system with a means for 
automatically disconnecting the battery from its charging source in the 
event of battery failure.
    h. Any Li-ion battery installation whose function is required for 
safe operation of the airplane, must incorporate a monitoring and 
warning feature that will provide an indication to the appropriate 
flightcrew members whenever the capacity and State of Charge (SOC) of 
the batteries have fallen below levels considered acceptable for 
dispatch of the airplane.
    i. The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) must contain 
recommended manufacturers maintenance and inspection requirements to 
ensure that batteries, including single cells, meet a safety function 
level essential to the aircraft's continued airworthiness.
    (1) The ICA must contain operating instructions and equipment 
limitations in an installation maintenance manual.
    (2) The ICA must contain installation procedures and limitations in 
a maintenance manual, sufficient to ensure that cells or batteries, 
when installed according to the installation procedures, still meet 
safety functional levels essential to the aircraft's continued 
airworthiness. The limitations must identify any unique aspects of the 
installation.
    (3) The ICA must contain corrective maintenance procedures to check 
battery capacity at manufacturers recommended inspection intervals.
    (4) The ICA must contain scheduled servicing information to replace 
batteries at manufacturers recommended replacement time.
    (5) The ICA must contain maintenance and inspection requirements to 
check visually for battery and/or charger degradation.
    j. Batteries in a rotating stock (spares) that have experienced 
degraded charge retention capability or other damage due to prolonged 
storage must be functionally checked at manufacturers recommended 
inspection intervals.
    k. The System Safety Assessment (SSA) process should address the 
software and complex hardware levels for the sensing, monitoring, and 
warning systems if these systems contain complex devices. The 
functional hazard assessment (FHA) for the system is required based on 
the intended functions described. The criticality of the specific 
functions will be determined by the safety assessment process for 
compliance with Sec.  23.1309. Advisory Circular 23-1309-1C contains 
acceptable means for accomplishing this requirement. For determining 
the failure condition, the criticality of a function will include the 
mitigating factors. The failure conditions must address the loss of 
function and improper operations.


[[Page 19892]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 6, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08586 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           19889

                                                      agree to reinstate the Principal, if the                ■  b. Remove the paragraph heading ‘‘(a)               Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                      Surety has settled its claim with the                   Indemnity settlements.’’;                              Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
                                                      Principal, or any of its Affiliates, for an             ■ c. Remove paragraphs (b) and (c); and                Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
                                                      amount that results in no Loss to SBA                   ■ d. Redesignate paragraphs ‘‘(1)’’,                   20590–0001.
                                                      or in no amount owed for Imminent                       ‘‘(2)’’, and ‘‘(3)’’, as ‘‘(a)’’, ‘‘(b)’’, and           D Hand Delivery of Courier: Take
                                                      Breach payments, or OSG finds good                      ‘‘(c)’’.                                               comments to Docket Operations in
                                                      cause for reinstating the Principal                     § 115.36    Indemnity settlements.                     Room W12–140 of the West Building
                                                      notwithstanding the Loss to SBA or                                                                             Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
                                                      amount owed for Imminent Breach                         *       *     *       *      *
                                                                                                                                                                     Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
                                                      payments; or                                            § 115.60 Selection and admission of PSB                a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                                         (ii) Reinstate a Principal’s eligibility             Sureties. [Amended]                                    Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                      upon the Surety’s determination that                       8. Amend § 115.60 to read as follows:
                                                      further bond guarantees are appropriate
                                                                                                              ■                                                        D Fax: Fax comments to Docket
                                                                                                              ■  a. Amend § 115.60(a)(1) by removing                 Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                                      after the Principal was deemed                          ‘‘$2,000,000’’ and inserting
                                                      ineligible for further SBA bond                                                                                  Privacy: The FAA will post all
                                                                                                              ‘‘$6,500,000’’ in its place; and
                                                      guarantees under § 115.14(a) (1), (2), (3),             ■ b. Remove paragraph (a)(5) and
                                                                                                                                                                     comments it receives, without change,
                                                      (5) or (6).                                             redesignate paragraph (a)(6) as                        to http://regulations.gov, including any
                                                         (c) Underwriting after reinstatement.                paragraph (a)(5).                                      personal information the commenter
                                                      A guarantee application submitted after                                                                        provides. Using the search function of
                                                                                                               Dated: April 6, 2015.                                 the docket Web site, anyone can find
                                                      reinstatement of the Principal’s
                                                      eligibility is subject to a very stringent              Maria Contreras-Sweet,                                 and read the electronic form of all
                                                      underwriting review.                                    Administrator.                                         comments received into any FAA
                                                      ■ 5. Amend § 115.16 by revising                         [FR Doc. 2015–08297 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]            docket, including the name of the
                                                      paragraphs (e)(1) and (f)(1) to read as                 BILLING CODE 8025–01–P                                 individual sending the comment (or
                                                      follows:                                                                                                       signing the comment for an association,
                                                                                                                                                                     business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
                                                      § 115.16   Determination of Surety’s Loss.                                                                     complete Privacy Act Statement can be
                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                      *     *     *     *    *                                                                                       found in the Federal Register published
                                                        (e) * * *                                             Federal Aviation Administration                        on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
                                                        (1) Amounts actually paid by the                                                                             as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
                                                      Surety for specialized services that are                14 CFR Part 23                                           Docket: Background documents or
                                                      provided under contract by an outside
                                                                                                              [Docket No. FAA–2015–0721; Notice No. 23–              comments received may be read at
                                                      consultant, which is not an Affiliate of
                                                                                                              15–03–SC]                                              http://www.regulations.gov at any time.
                                                      the Surety, in connection with the
                                                                                                                                                                     Follow the online instructions for
                                                      processing of a claim, provided that                    Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft                     accessing the docket or go to the Docket
                                                      such services are beyond the capability                 Company, Model HA–420 HondaJet,                        Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                                      of the Surety’s salaried claims staff; and              Lithium-Ion Batteries                                  West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                      *     *     *     *    *                                                                                       New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                        (f) * * *                                             AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                                                                              Administration (FAA), DOT.                             DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                        (1) Any unallocated expenses, all
                                                                                                                                                                     through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                      direct and indirect costs incurred by the               ACTION: Notice of proposed special
                                                      Surety’s salaried claims staff, or any                  conditions.                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:    Les
                                                      clear mark-up on expenses or any                                                                               Lyne, Policies & Procedures Branch,
                                                      overhead of the Surety, its attorney, or                SUMMARY:   This action proposes special                ACE–114, Federal Aviation
                                                      any other party hired by the Surety or                  conditions for the Honda Aircraft                      Administration, Small Airplane
                                                      the attorney;                                           Company, Model HA–420 airplane. This                   Directorate, Aircraft Certification
                                                                                                              airplane will have a novel or unusual                  Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City,
                                                      *     *     *     *    *                                design feature associated with the
                                                      ■ 6. Amend § 115.18 by revising                                                                                Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329–
                                                                                                              installation of lithium-ion (Li-ion)                   4171; facsimile (816) 329–4090.
                                                      paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:
                                                                                                              batteries. The applicable airworthiness
                                                      § 115.18 Refusal to issue further                       regulations do not contain adequate or                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                      guarantees; suspension and termination of               appropriate safety standards for this                  Comments Invited
                                                      PSB status.                                             design feature. These proposed special
                                                      *     *     *     *     *                               conditions contain the additional safety                  We invite interested people to take
                                                        (2) Regulatory violations, fraud. Acts                standards that the Administrator                       part in this rulemaking by sending
                                                      of wrongdoing such as fraud, material                   considers necessary to establish a level               written comments, data, or views. The
                                                      misrepresentation, breach of the Prior                  of safety equivalent to that established               most helpful comments reference a
                                                      Approval or PSB Agreement, the                          by the existing airworthiness standards.               specific portion of the special
                                                      Surety’s failure to continue to comply                  DATES: Send your comments on or                        conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                      with the requirements set forth in                      before May 4, 2015.                                    recommended change, and include
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      § 115.11, or regulatory violations (as                  ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
                                                                                                                                                                     supporting data. We ask that you send
                                                      defined in §§ 115.19(d) and 115.19(h))                  by docket number [FAA–2015–0721]                       us two copies of written comments.
                                                      also constitute sufficient grounds for                  using any of the following methods:                       We will consider all comments we
                                                      refusal to issue further guarantees, or in                D Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                 receive on or before the closing date for
                                                      the case of a PSB Surety, termination of                http://www.regulations.gov and follow                  comments. We will consider comments
                                                      preferred status.                                       the online instructions for sending your               filed late if it is possible to do so
                                                      *     *     *     *     *                               comments electronically.                               without incurring expense or delay. We
                                                      ■ 7. Amend § 115.36 to read as follows:                   D Mail: Send comments to Docket                      may change these special conditions
                                                      ■ a. Revise the section heading;                        Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                   based on the comments we receive.


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:05 Apr 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\14APP1.SGM   14APP1


                                                      19890                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      Background                                              conditions, the HA–420 must comply                        The introduction of Li-ion batteries
                                                         On October 11, 2006, Honda Aircraft                  with the fuel vent and exhaust emission                into aircraft raises some concern about
                                                      Company applied for a type certificate                  requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the                 associated battery/cell monitoring
                                                      for their new Model HA–420. On                          noise certification requirements of 14                 systems and how these may affect
                                                      October 10, 2013, Honda Aircraft                        CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a                  utilization of an otherwise ‘‘good’’
                                                      Company requested an extension with                     finding of regulatory adequacy under                   battery as an energy source to the
                                                      an effective application date of October                section 611 of Public Law 92–574, the                  electrical system when monitoring
                                                      1, 2013. This extension changed the                     ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’                         components fail. Associated battery/cell
                                                      type certification basis to amendment                      The FAA issues special conditions, as               monitoring systems (i.e., temperature,
                                                      23–62.                                                  defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                 state of charge, etc.) should be
                                                         The HA–420 is a four to five                         with § 11.38, and they become part of                  evaluated/tested with respect the
                                                      passenger (depending on configuration),                 the type-certification basis under                     expected extremes in the aircraft
                                                      two crew, lightweight business jet with                 § 21.17(a)(2).                                         operating environment.
                                                      a 43,000-foot service ceiling and a                                                                               Li-ion batteries typically have
                                                                                                              Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                      maximum takeoff weight of 9963                                                                                 different electrical impedance
                                                      pounds. The airplane is powered by two                    The HA–420 will incorporate the                      characteristics than lead-acid or Ni-Cad
                                                      GE-Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF–                        following novel or unusual design                      batteries. Honda Aircraft Company
                                                      120 turbofan engines.                                   feature: The installation of Li-ion                    needs to evaluate other components of
                                                         The current regulatory requirements                  batteries.                                             the aircraft electrical system with
                                                      for part 23 airplanes do not contain                      The current regulatory requirements                  respect to these characteristics.
                                                      adequate requirements for the                           for part 23 airplanes do not contain                      At present, there is very limited
                                                      application of Li-ion batteries in                      adequate requirements for the                          experience regarding the use of Li-ion
                                                      airborne applications. This type of                     application of Li-ion batteries in                     rechargeable batteries in applications
                                                      battery possesses certain failure,                      airborne applications. This type of                    involving commercial aviation.
                                                      operational characteristics, and                        battery possesses certain failure,                     However, other users of this technology
                                                      maintenance requirements that differ                    operational characteristics, and                       range from wireless telephone
                                                      significantly from that of the nickel                   maintenance requirements that differ                   manufacturers to the electric vehicle
                                                      cadmium and lead acid rechargeable                      significantly from that of the nickel                  industry and have noted significant
                                                      batteries currently approved in other                   cadmium and lead acid rechargeable                     safety issues regarding the use of these
                                                      normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter                batteries currently approved in other                  types of batteries, some of which are
                                                      category airplanes. Therefore, the FAA                  normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter               described in the following paragraphs:
                                                      is proposing this special condition to                  category airplanes.                                       1. Overcharging. In general, lithium
                                                      require that all characteristics of the                                                                        batteries are significantly more
                                                      rechargeable lithium batteries and their                Discussion
                                                                                                                                                                     susceptible to internal failures that can
                                                      installation that could affect safe                        The applicable parts 21 and 23                      result in self-sustaining increases in
                                                      operation of the HA–420 are addressed,                  airworthiness regulations governing the                temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal
                                                      and appropriate Instructions for                        installation of batteries in general                   runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or
                                                      Continued Airworthiness which include                   aviation airplanes, including § 23.1353,               lead-acid counterparts. This is
                                                      maintenance requirements are                            were derived from Civil Air Regulations                especially true for overcharging, which
                                                      established to ensure the availability of               (CAR 3) as part of the recodification that             causes heating and destabilization of the
                                                      electrical power from the batteries when                established 14 CFR part 23. The battery                components of the cell, leading to the
                                                      needed.                                                 requirements, which are identified in                  formation (by plating) of highly unstable
                                                      Type Certification Basis                                § 23.1353, were a rewording of the CAR                 metallic lithium. The metallic lithium
                                                                                                              requirements that did not add any                      can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining
                                                         Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,
                                                                                                              substantive technical requirements. An                 fire or explosion. Finally, the severity of
                                                      Honda Aircraft Company must show
                                                                                                              increase in incidents involving battery                thermal runaway due to overcharging
                                                      that the HA–420 meets the applicable
                                                      provisions of part 23, as amended by                    fires and failures that accompanied the                increases with increasing battery
                                                      Amendments 23–1 through 23–62                           increased use of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-                   capacity due to the higher amount of
                                                      thereto.                                                Cad) batteries in aircraft resulted in                 electrolyte in large batteries.
                                                         If the Administrator finds that the                  rulemaking activities on the battery                      2. Over-discharging. Discharge of
                                                      applicable airworthiness regulations                    requirements for transport category                    some types of lithium battery cells
                                                      (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain                   airplanes. These regulations were                      beyond a certain voltage (typically 2.4
                                                      adequate or appropriate safety standards                incorporated into § 23.1353(f) and (g),                volts) can cause corrosion of the
                                                      for the HA–420 because of a novel or                    which apply only to Ni-Cad battery                     electrodes of the cell; resulting in loss
                                                      unusual design feature, special                         installations.                                         of battery capacity that cannot be
                                                      conditions are prescribed under the                        The proposed use of Li-ion batteries                reversed by recharging. This loss of
                                                      provisions of § 21.16.                                  on the HA–420 airplane has prompted                    capacity may not be detected by the
                                                         Special conditions are initially                     the FAA to review the adequacy of the                  simple voltage measurements
                                                      applicable to the model for which they                  existing battery regulations with respect              commonly available to flight crews as a
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                                                      are issued. Should the type certificate                 to that chemistry. As the result of this               means of checking battery status—a
                                                      for that model be amended later to                      review, the FAA has determined that                    problem shared with nickel-cadmium
                                                      include any other model that                            the existing regulations do not                        batteries.
                                                      incorporates the same or similar novel                  adequately address several failure,                       3. Flammability of Cell Components:
                                                      or unusual design feature, the special                  operational, and maintenance                           Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
                                                      conditions would also apply to the other                characteristics of Li-ion batteries that               batteries, some types of lithium batteries
                                                      model under § 21.101.                                   could affect safety of the battery                     use liquid electrolytes that are
                                                         In addition to the applicable                        installation of the HA–420 airplane                    flammable. The electrolyte can serve as
                                                      airworthiness regulations and special                   electrical power supply.                               a source of fuel for an external fire if


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                             19891

                                                      there is a breach of the battery                        The Proposed Special Conditions                        whenever the capacity and State of
                                                      container.                                                Accordingly, the Federal Aviation                    Charge (SOC) of the batteries have fallen
                                                         These safety issues experienced by                   Administration (FAA) proposes the                      below levels considered acceptable for
                                                      users of lithium batteries raise concern                following special conditions as part of                dispatch of the airplane.
                                                      about the use of these batteries in                     the type certification basis for Honda                    i. The Instructions for Continued
                                                      commercial aviation. The intent of the                  Aircraft Company, HA–420 airplanes.                    Airworthiness (ICA) must contain
                                                      proposed special condition is to
                                                                                                              1. Lithium-Ion Battery Installation                    recommended manufacturers
                                                      establish appropriate airworthiness
                                                                                                                                                                     maintenance and inspection
                                                      standards for lithium battery                              a. Safe cell temperatures and
                                                      installations in the HA–420 and to                                                                             requirements to ensure that batteries,
                                                                                                              pressures must be maintained during                    including single cells, meet a safety
                                                      ensure, as required by §§ 23.1309 and                   any probable charging or discharging
                                                      23.601, that these battery installations                                                                       function level essential to the aircraft’s
                                                                                                              condition, or during any failure of the                continued airworthiness.
                                                      are not hazardous or unreliable.                        charging or battery monitoring system
                                                         Additionally, the Radio Technical                    not shown to be extremely remote. The                     (1) The ICA must contain operating
                                                      Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), in                   applicant must design Li-ion battery                   instructions and equipment limitations
                                                      a joint effort with the FAA and industry,               installation to preclude explosion or fire             in an installation maintenance manual.
                                                      has released RTCA/DO–311, Minimum                       in the event of those failures.                           (2) The ICA must contain installation
                                                      Operational Performance Standards for                      b. The applicant must design the Li-                procedures and limitations in a
                                                      Rechargeable Lithium Battery Systems,                   ion batteries to preclude the occurrence               maintenance manual, sufficient to
                                                      which gained much of its text directly                  of self-sustaining, uncontrolled                       ensure that cells or batteries, when
                                                      from previous Li-ion special conditions.                increases in temperature or pressure.
                                                      Honda Aircraft Company proposes to                                                                             installed according to the installation
                                                                                                                 c. No explosive or toxic gasses                     procedures, still meet safety functional
                                                      use DO–311 as the primary                               emitted by any Li-ion battery in normal
                                                      methodology for assuring the battery                                                                           levels essential to the aircraft’s
                                                                                                              operation or as the result of any failure
                                                      will perform its intended functions                                                                            continued airworthiness. The
                                                                                                              of the battery charging or monitoring
                                                      safely as installed in the HA–420                                                                              limitations must identify any unique
                                                                                                              system, or battery installation not
                                                      airplane and as the basis for test and                                                                         aspects of the installation.
                                                                                                              shown to be extremely remote, may
                                                      qualification of the battery. This Special              accumulate in hazardous quantities                        (3) The ICA must contain corrective
                                                      Condition incorporates applicable                       within the airplane.                                   maintenance procedures to check
                                                      portions of DO–311.                                        d. Li-ion batteries that contain                    battery capacity at manufacturers
                                                      Applicability                                           flammable fluids must comply with the                  recommended inspection intervals.
                                                                                                              flammable fluid fire protection                           (4) The ICA must contain scheduled
                                                        As discussed above, these special                     requirements of § 23.863(a) through (d).
                                                      conditions are applicable to the HA–                                                                           servicing information to replace
                                                                                                                 e. No corrosive fluids or gasses that               batteries at manufacturers
                                                      420. Should Honda Aircraft Company                      may escape from any Li-ion battery may
                                                      apply at a later date for a change to the                                                                      recommended replacement time.
                                                                                                              damage surrounding airplane structure
                                                      type certificate to include another                     or adjacent essential equipment.                          (5) The ICA must contain
                                                      model incorporating the same novel or                      f. The applicant must provide                       maintenance and inspection
                                                      unusual design feature, the special                     provision for each installed Li-ion                    requirements to check visually for
                                                      conditions would apply to that model as                 battery to prevent any hazardous effect                battery and/or charger degradation.
                                                      well.                                                   on structure or essential systems that                    j. Batteries in a rotating stock (spares)
                                                        Provisional certification of the HA–                  may be caused by the maximum amount                    that have experienced degraded charge
                                                      420 is currently scheduled for June                     of heat the battery can generate during
                                                      2015. The substance of these special                                                                           retention capability or other damage due
                                                                                                              a short circuit of the battery or of its               to prolonged storage must be
                                                      conditions has been subject to the notice               individual cells.
                                                      and public-comment procedure in                                                                                functionally checked at manufacturers
                                                                                                                 g. Li-ion battery installations must                recommended inspection intervals.
                                                      several prior instances, specifically                   have—
                                                      special conditions 23–236–SC, 23–247–                      (1) A system to control the charging                   k. The System Safety Assessment
                                                      SC, and 23–249–SC. Therefore, because                   rate of the battery automatically so as to             (SSA) process should address the
                                                      a delay would significantly affect the                  prevent battery overheating or                         software and complex hardware levels
                                                      applicant’s both installation of the                    overcharging; or                                       for the sensing, monitoring, and
                                                      system and certification of the airplane,                  (2) A battery temperature sensing and               warning systems if these systems
                                                      we are shortening the public-comment                    over-temperature warning system with a                 contain complex devices. The
                                                      period to 20 days.                                      means for automatically disconnecting                  functional hazard assessment (FHA) for
                                                      Conclusion                                              the battery from its charging source in                the system is required based on the
                                                                                                              the event of an over-temperature                       intended functions described. The
                                                        This action affects only certain novel                condition; or                                          criticality of the specific functions will
                                                      or unusual design features on one model                    (3) A battery failure sensing and                   be determined by the safety assessment
                                                      of airplanes. It is not a rule of general               warning system with a means for                        process for compliance with § 23.1309.
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                                                      applicability.                                          automatically disconnecting the battery                Advisory Circular 23–1309–1C contains
                                                      List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23                      from its charging source in the event of               acceptable means for accomplishing this
                                                                                                              battery failure.                                       requirement. For determining the failure
                                                        Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and                     h. Any Li-ion battery installation
                                                      symbols.                                                                                                       condition, the criticality of a function
                                                                                                              whose function is required for safe                    will include the mitigating factors. The
                                                        The authority citation for these                      operation of the airplane, must
                                                      special conditions is as follows:                                                                              failure conditions must address the loss
                                                                                                              incorporate a monitoring and warning
                                                                                                                                                                     of function and improper operations.
                                                        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,            feature that will provide an indication
                                                      44702, 44704.                                           to the appropriate flightcrew members


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                                                      19892                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                         Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April            p.m., Monday through Friday, except                    FR 50981, September 24, 1998). AD 98–
                                                      6, 2015.                                                Federal holidays.                                      20–27 requires actions intended to
                                                      Pat Mullen,                                               For service information identified in                address an unsafe condition on all
                                                      Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,             this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS,                  Airbus Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R,
                                                      Aircraft Certification Service.                         Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond                       and F4–600R series airplanes, and
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–08586 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]             Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac                  Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
                                                      BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36                airplanes (collectively called Model
                                                                                                              96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email                       A300–600 series airplanes).
                                                                                                              account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;                          Since we issued AD 98–20–27,
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            Internet http://www.airbus.com. You                    Amendment 39–10793 (63 FR 50981,
                                                                                                              may view this referenced service                       September 24, 1998): The European
                                                      Federal Aviation Administration                         information at the FAA, Transport                      Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which
                                                                                                              Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue                 is the Technical Agent for the Member
                                                      14 CFR Part 39                                          SW., Renton, WA. For information on                    States of the European Union, has
                                                      [Docket No. FAA–2015–0824; Directorate                  the availability of this material at the               issued EASA Airworthiness Directive
                                                      Identifier 2013–NM–191–AD]                              FAA, call 425–227–1221.                                2013–0232R1, dated October 2, 2013
                                                      RIN 2120–AA64                                           Examining the AD Docket                                (referred to after this as the Mandatory
                                                                                                                                                                     Continuing Airworthiness Information,
                                                                                                                 You may examine the AD docket on
                                                      Airworthiness Directives; Airbus                                                                               or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
                                                                                                              the Internet at http://
                                                      Airplanes                                                                                                      condition. The MCAI states:
                                                                                                              www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                                                                              and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–                         During full-scale fatigue testing conducted
                                                      AGENCY: Federal Aviation                                                                                       in the early 1990’s, cracks were found on the
                                                      Administration (FAA), DOT.                              0824; or in person at the Docket
                                                                                                              Management Facility between 9 a.m.                     top skin of the wing between Ribs 1 and 7,
                                                      ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                                                                          starting at the front spar fastener holes.
                                                                                                              and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
                                                      (NPRM).                                                                                                           This condition, if not detected and
                                                                                                              except Federal holidays. The AD docket                 corrected, could adversely affect the
                                                      SUMMARY:   We propose to supersede                      contains this proposed AD, the                         structural integrity of the wing.
                                                      Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98–20–27,                  regulatory evaluation, any comments                       Consequently, Airbus issued Service
                                                      for all Airbus Model A300 B4–600, B4–                   received, and other information. The                   Bulletin (SB) A300–57–6045 and DGAC
                                                      600R, and F4–600R series airplanes, and                 street address for the Docket Operations               [Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile]
                                                      Model A300 C4–605R Variant F                            office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in                  France issued AD 97–374–238 [http://
                                                                                                              the ADDRESSES section. Comments will                   ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/19973740tb_
                                                      airplanes (collectively called Model                                                                           superseded.pdf/AD_F-1997-374-238_2] for
                                                      A300–600 series airplanes). AD 98–20–                   be available in the AD docket shortly
                                                                                                              after receipt.                                         A300–600 aeroplanes and AD 1999–008–020
                                                      27 currently requires repetitive                                                                               [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/19980080tb_
                                                      inspections to detect fatigue cracking of               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan                   superseded.pdf/AD_F-1999-008-020_2] for
                                                      the wing top skin at the front spar joint;              Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,                            A300–600ST aeroplanes to require repetitive
                                                      and a follow-on eddy current inspection                 International Branch, ANM–116,                         detailed inspections of the wing top skin and,
                                                      and repair, if necessary. Since we issued               Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,                   in case of findings, an Eddy Current (EC)
                                                      AD 98–20–27, we have received reports                   1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA                       inspection, and, depending on the size of the
                                                                                                              98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2125;                    cracks, repair.
                                                      of cracking of the wing top skin in an
                                                                                                              fax 425–227–1149.                                         After those [DGAC] ADs were issued,
                                                      area not required for inspection by AD                                                                         further cracks to the wing top skin were
                                                      98–20–27. This proposed AD would                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                                     reported by operators, within an area not
                                                      reduce the inspection compliance time                   Comments Invited                                       covered by the existing [DGAC] ADs. To
                                                      and intervals, and extend the inspection                                                                       address this potential unsafe condition,
                                                      area of the wing top skin at the front                    We invite you to send any written                    Airbus revised SB A300–57–6045 to extend
                                                      spar joint. We are proposing this AD to                 relevant data, views, or arguments about               the area to be inspected.
                                                      detect and correct fatigue cracking of the              this proposed AD. Send your comments                      In addition, a fleet survey and updated
                                                      wing top skin at the front spar joint,                  to an address listed under the                         Fatigue and Damage Tolerance analyses were
                                                                                                              ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.                performed in order to substantiate the second
                                                      which could result in reduced structural
                                                                                                              FAA–2015–0824; Directorate Identifier                  A300–600 Extended Service Goal (ESG2)
                                                      integrity of the airplane.                                                                                     exercise. The results of these analyses have
                                                                                                              2013–NM–191–AD’’ at the beginning of
                                                      DATES: We must receive comments on                                                                             determined that the inspection thresholds
                                                                                                              your comments. We specifically invite
                                                      this proposed AD by May 29, 2015.                                                                              and intervals must be reduced to allow
                                                                                                              comments on the overall regulatory,                    timely detection of these cracks and the
                                                      ADDRESSES: You may send comments by                     economic, environmental, and energy
                                                      any of the following methods:                                                                                  accomplishment of applicable corrective
                                                                                                              aspects of this proposed AD. We will                   action(s).
                                                        • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                   consider all comments received by the                     As the ESG2 exercise is only applicable to
                                                      http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                  closing date and may amend this                        A300–600 aeroplanes, A300–600ST
                                                      instructions for submitting comments.                   proposed AD based on those comments.                   aeroplanes are now addressed through new
                                                        • Fax: (202) 493–2251.                                  We will post all comments we                         Airbus SB A300–57–9026.
                                                        • Mail: U.S. Department of                            receive, without change, to http://                       For the reasons described above, this
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Transportation, Docket Operations,                      www.regulations.gov, including any                     [EASA] AD retains the requirements of DGAC
                                                      M–30, West Building Ground Floor,                       personal information you provide. We                   France AD 97–374–238(B) [http://
                                                      Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey                                                                                  ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/19973740tb_
                                                                                                              will also post a report summarizing each               superseded.pdf/AD_F-1997-374-238_2]
                                                      Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.                       substantive verbal contact we receive                  [which corresponds to FAA AD 98–20–27,
                                                        • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of                   about this proposed AD.                                Amendment 39–10793 (63 FR 50981,
                                                      Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                                                                          September 24, 1998)] and [DGAC] AD 1999–
                                                      30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                    Discussion
                                                                                                                                                                     008–020(B) [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/
                                                      W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                      On September 16, 1998, we issued AD                  19980080tb_superseded.pdf/AD_F-1999-008-
                                                      Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5                    98–20–27, Amendment 39–10793 (63                       020_2], which are superseded, but requires



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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:09:35
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:09:35
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed special conditions.
DatesSend your comments on or before May 4, 2015.
ContactLes Lyne, Policies & Procedures Branch, ACE-114, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329-4171; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
FR Citation80 FR 19889 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

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