80_FR_23522 80 FR 23441 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-9, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Airbag Devices

80 FR 23441 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-9, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Airbag Devices

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 81 (April 28, 2015)

Page Range23441-23443
FR Document2015-09784

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-9 airplane. This airplane has a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-facing, oblique seats. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for occupants of seats installed at an angle of greater than 18 degrees, but substantially less than 90 degrees, to the centerline of the airplane, nor for airbag devices. These 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 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23441-23443]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09784]



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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 81 / Tuesday, April 28, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 23441]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0692; Special Conditions No. 25-580-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-9, Dynamic Test Requirements 
for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Airbag Devices

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special condition; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-9 
airplane. This airplane has a novel or unusual design feature 
associated with side-facing, oblique seats. The applicable 
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 
standards for occupants of seats installed at an angle of greater than 
18 degrees, but substantially less than 90 degrees, to the centerline 
of the airplane, nor for airbag devices. These 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: This action is effective on April 28, 2015. We must receive your 
comments by June 12, 2015.

ADDRESSES:  Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-0692 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions for sending 
your comments electronically.
     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.
     Hand Delivery or 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.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://www.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 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:  Jeff Gardlin, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-2136; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected 
airplane.
    The FAA therefore finds that good cause exists for making these 
special conditions effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

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 will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for 
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On July 5, 2009, The Boeing Company applied for an amendment to 
Type Certificate No. T00021SE to include the new Model 787-9 airplane. 
The Model 787-9, which is a derivative of the Model 787 airplane 
currently approved under Type Certificate No. T00021SE, is a wide-body 
twin-jet with wing-mounted engines. It has a 420-passenger capacity, a 
maximum takeoff weight of 553,000 lb, and is equipped with two Rolls-
Royce Trent T1000 or General Electric GENx engines.
    Amendment 25-15 to part 25, dated October 24, 1967, introduced the 
subject of side-facing seats and a requirement that each occupant in a 
side-facing seat must be protected from head injury by a safety belt 
and a cushioned rest that will support the arms, shoulders, head, and 
spine.
    Subsequently, Amendment 25-20, dated April 23, 1969, clarified the 
definition of sideward-facing seats to require that each occupant of a 
seat that is positioned at more than an 18-degree angle to the vertical 
plane containing the airplane centerline must be protected from head 
injury by a safety belt and an energy-absorbing rest that supports the 
arms, shoulders, head, and spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder 
harness that prevents the head from contacting injurious objects. The 
FAA concluded that a maximum 18-degree angle would provide an adequate 
level of safety based on tests that were performed at that time, and 
thus adopted that standard.
    Part 25 was amended June 16, 1988, by Amendment 25-64, to revise 
the emergency-landing conditions that must be considered in the design 
of the airplane. Amendment 25-64 revised the static-load conditions in 
Sec.  25.561, and added a new Sec.  25.562 that required dynamic 
testing for all seats approved for occupancy during takeoff and 
landing. The intent of Amendment 25-64 is to provide an improved level 
of

[[Page 23442]]

safety for occupants on transport-category airplanes. Because most 
seating is forward-facing on transport-category airplanes, the pass/
fail criteria developed in Amendment 25-64 focused primarily on these 
seats. As a result, the FAA issued Policy Memorandums ANM-03-115-30, 
``Side-facing Seats on Transport Category Airplanes,'' and PS-ANM-100-
2000-00123 ``Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance with Seat Dynamic 
Testing for Plinths and Pallets,'' to provide the additional guidance 
necessary to demonstrate the level of safety required by the 
regulations for fully side-facing seats.
    To reflect current research findings, the FAA developed a 
methodology to address all fully side-facing seats (i.e, seats oriented 
in the airplane with the occupant facing 90 degrees to the direction of 
airplane travel) and has documented those requirements in a set of 
proposed new special conditions. The FAA issued Policy Statement PS-
ANM-25-03-R1 to document the injury criteria associated with neck and 
leg injuries for fully side-facing seats that will be used in special 
conditions issued after the implementation of the policy.
    The criteria described in the above policy statements were written 
for fully side-facing seats and do not fully address the complex 
occupant-loading conditions introduced by a seat that is at an oblique 
angle to the centerline of the airplane. The Model 787-9 business-class 
seat installation is novel such that the current Model 787 side-facing 
seat special conditions do not adequately convey occupant protection 
expectations for an oblique-seat installation. Therefore, the 
configuration Boeing proposes requires new special conditions.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Boeing must show that the 787-9, as changed, continues to 
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type 
Certificate No. T00021SE, or the applicable regulations in effect on 
the date of application for the change, except for earlier amendments 
as agreed upon by the FAA. The regulations listed in the type 
certificate are commonly referred to as the ``original type-
certification basis.''
    The regulations listed in T00021SE are as follows:
    The type-certification basis for the Model 787-9 airplane is 14 CFR 
part 25, effective February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments 25-1 
through 25-128, except Sec.  25.795, Security Considerations, at 
Amendment 25-106; and Sec.  25.125, Landing, at Amendment 25-108.
    In addition, the certification basis includes certain special 
conditions, exemptions, or later amended sections of the applicable 
part that are not relevant to these special conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Boeing Model 787-9 airplane 
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 novel or 
unusual design feature, or should any other model already included on 
the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same novel or 
unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the 
other model.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Boeing Model 787-9 airplane 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.
    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.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Boeing Model 787-9 airplane will incorporate the following 
novel or unusual design features:
    Installation of Zodiac Seats France Cirrus III model oblique 
business-class passenger seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats UK, which 
are seats installed at an angle of 30 degrees to the airplane 
centerline. These seats will include airbag devices for occupant 
restraint and injury protection. This particular design allows for the 
upper torso to align with the impact vector, but may restrict the 
knees/legs from fully aligning. The applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
occupants of seats installed in the proposed configuration.
    To provide a level of safety equivalent to that afforded to 
occupants of forward- and aft-facing seats, additional airworthiness 
standards, in the form of special conditions, are necessary. Although 
we have issued side-facing-seat special conditions applicable to the 
787, these existing special conditions do not fully address the complex 
occupant-loading conditions introduced by a seat that is at an oblique 
angle to the centerline of the airplane. Special Conditions 25-458-SC, 
``Boeing Model 787 Series Airplanes; Single-place Side-facing Seats 
with Inflatable Lapbelts,'' apply to fully side-facing (90 degree) 
seats installed on the 787. Special Conditions 25-552-SC, ``Boeing 
Model 787-9, Side-Facing Seats,'' were applicable to a specific 49-
degree oblique seat installation, and do not contain sufficient 
criteria for general oblique seat installations.
    Boeing is installing airbag devices on these seats, either in the 
lapbelts or mounted in the structure around the seats. Airbag devices 
installed in lapbelts on the 787 are addressed by Special Conditions 
25-431-SC, ``Boeing Model 787 Series Airplanes; Seats With Inflatable 
Lapbelts.'' We are currently developing special conditions to apply to 
structure-mounted airbag devices installed on the 787.

Discussion

    The business-class seating configuration proposed by Boeing is 
unique due to the seat installation at a 30-degree angle to the 
airplane centerline. Special Conditions 25-458-SC and 25-552-SC were 
not intended to address this configuration, nor is this configuration 
specifically addressed by Policy Statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1 (which is 
intended to address fully side-facing seats, i.e., 90-degree 
installation angle). However, we believe the occupant-injury criteria 
conveyed in this policy statement is applicable to this type of 
configuration as it applies to evaluating neck injuries. Due to the 
unique seat-installation angle, these special conditions also include 
spinal-loading injury criteria.
    These 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.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Boeing Model 787-9 airplane. These special conditions can be applied to 
oblique seats installed at an angle greater than 18 degrees but less 
than 46 degrees to the vertical plane containing the airplane 
centerline. Should Boeing 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

[[Page 23443]]

well. The angle of installation and detailed design features will 
determine the nature of the occupant response. The FAA will amend these 
special conditions or issue new special conditions, should unusual 
occupant response in the required dynamic tests, or additional research 
into occupant-injury mechanisms, indicate these special conditions are 
inadequate. Any future special conditions would include due public 
notice.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.
    Under standard practice, the effective date of final special 
conditions would be 30 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register; however, as the certification date for the Boeing 
Model 787-9 airplane is imminent, the FAA finds that good cause exists 
to make these special conditions effective upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

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

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type-certification basis for Boeing Model 787-9 airplanes modified 
by Boeing.

Side-Facing Seats Conditions

    In addition to the requirements of Sec.  25.562:
    1. Existing Criteria: Compliance with Sec.  25.562(c)(5) is 
required, except that, if the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) has no 
apparent contact with the seat/structure but has contact with an 
inflatable restraint, a head-injury criterion (HIC) unlimited score in 
excess of 1000 is acceptable, provided the HIC15 score for that contact 
is less than 700.
    2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact: If a seat is installed aft of 
structure (e.g., an interior wall or furnishing) that does not provide 
a homogenous contact surface for the expected range of occupants and 
yaw angles, then additional analysis and/or test(s) may be required to 
demonstrate that the injury criteria are met for the area which an 
occupant could contact. For example, if different yaw angles could 
result in different inflatable-restraint performance, then additional 
analysis or separate test(s) may be necessary to evaluate performance.
    3. Neck Injury Criteria: The seating system must protect the 
occupant from experiencing serious neck injury. The assessment of neck 
injury must be conducted with the inflatable restraint activated unless 
there is reason to also consider that the neck-injury potential would 
be higher below the inflatable-restraint threshold.
    a. The Nij must be below 1.0, where Nij = 
Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and 
Nij intercepts limited to:
    i. Fzc = 1530 lb for tension.
    ii. Fzc = 1385 lb for compression.
    iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion.
    iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension.
    b. In addition, peak Fz must be below 937 lb in tension 
and 899 lb in compression.
    c. Rotation of the head about its vertical axis relative to the 
torso is limited to 105 degrees in either direction from forward-
facing.
    d. The neck must not impact any surface.
    4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria:
    a. The shoulders must remain aligned with the hips throughout the 
impact sequence, or support for the upper torso must be provided to 
prevent forward or lateral flailing beyond 45 degrees from the vertical 
during significant spinal loading.
    b. Significant concentrated loading on the occupant's spine, in the 
area between the pelvis and shoulders during impact, including rebound, 
is not acceptable. During this type of contact, the interval for any 
rearward (X direction) acceleration exceeding 20g must be less than 3 
milliseconds as measured by the thoracic instrumentation specified in 
49 CFR part 572, subpart E, filtered in accordance with SAE 
International (SAE) J211-1.
    c. Occupant must not interact with the armrest or other seat 
components in any manner significantly different than would be expected 
for a forward-facing seat installation.
    5. Longitudinal test(s), as necessary, must be performed with the 
FAA Hybrid III ATD, undeformed floor, most-critical yaw case(s) for 
injury, and with all lateral structural supports (armrests/walls) 
installed. For the pass/fail injury assessments, see the criteria 
listed in special conditions 1 through 4, above.
    Note: Boeing must demonstrate that the installation of seats via 
plinths or pallets meets all applicable requirements. Compliance with 
the guidance contained in FAA Policy Memorandum PS-ANM-100-2000-00123, 
dated February 2, 2000, titled ``Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance 
with Seat Dynamic Testing for Plinths and Pallets,'' is acceptable to 
the FAA.

Inflatable Lapbelt Conditions

    If inflatable lapbelts are installed on single-place side-facing 
seats, the inflatable lapbelt(s) must meet Special Conditions 25-431-
SC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-09784 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                                                                                                                                               23441

                                                Rules and Regulations                                                                                         Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                              Vol. 80, No. 81

                                                                                                                                                              Tuesday, April 28, 2015



                                                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                 written comments, data, or views. The
                                                contains regulatory documents having general            20590–0001.                                           most helpful comments reference a
                                                applicability and legal effect, most of which              • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                   specific portion of the special
                                                are keyed to and codified in the Code of                comments to Docket Operations in                      conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                Federal Regulations, which is published under           Room W12–140 of the West Building                     recommended change, and include
                                                50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
                                                                                                        Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                       supporting data.
                                                The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by              Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9                   We will consider all comments we
                                                the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of              a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                       receive by the closing date for
                                                new books are listed in the first FEDERAL               Friday, except Federal holidays.                      comments. We may change these special
                                                REGISTER issue of each week.                               • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                      conditions based on the comments we
                                                                                                        Operations at 202–493–2251.                           receive.
                                                                                                           Privacy: The FAA will post all                     Background
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            comments it receives, without change,
                                                                                                        to http://www.regulations.gov/,                          On July 5, 2009, The Boeing Company
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         including any personal information the                applied for an amendment to Type
                                                                                                        commenter provides. Using the search                  Certificate No. T00021SE to include the
                                                14 CFR Part 25                                          function of the docket Web site, anyone               new Model 787–9 airplane. The Model
                                                                                                        can find and read the electronic form of              787–9, which is a derivative of the
                                                [Docket No. FAA–2015–0692; Special                                                                            Model 787 airplane currently approved
                                                Conditions No. 25–580–SC]                               all comments received into any FAA
                                                                                                        docket, including the name of the                     under Type Certificate No. T00021SE, is
                                                                                                        individual sending the comment (or                    a wide-body twin-jet with wing-
                                                Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787–
                                                                                                        signing the comment for an association,               mounted engines. It has a 420-passenger
                                                9, Dynamic Test Requirements for
                                                                                                        business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                   capacity, a maximum takeoff weight of
                                                Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing)
                                                                                                        complete Privacy Act Statement can be                 553,000 lb, and is equipped with two
                                                Seats With Airbag Devices                                                                                     Rolls-Royce Trent T1000 or General
                                                                                                        found in the Federal Register published
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),                Electric GENx engines.
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              as well as at http://                                    Amendment 25–15 to part 25, dated
                                                                                                                                                              October 24, 1967, introduced the subject
                                                ACTION: Final special condition; request                DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
                                                                                                           Docket: Background documents or                    of side-facing seats and a requirement
                                                for comments.
                                                                                                        comments received may be read at                      that each occupant in a side-facing seat
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                 http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.              must be protected from head injury by
                                                issued for the Boeing Model 787–9                                                                             a safety belt and a cushioned rest that
                                                                                                        Follow the online instructions for
                                                airplane. This airplane has a novel or                                                                        will support the arms, shoulders, head,
                                                                                                        accessing the docket or go to Docket
                                                unusual design feature associated with                                                                        and spine.
                                                                                                        Operations in Room W12–140 of the                        Subsequently, Amendment 25–20,
                                                side-facing, oblique seats. The                         West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                applicable airworthiness regulations do                                                                       dated April 23, 1969, clarified the
                                                                                                        New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                    definition of sideward-facing seats to
                                                not contain adequate or appropriate                     DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                safety standards for occupants of seats                                                                       require that each occupant of a seat that
                                                                                                        through Friday, except Federal holidays.              is positioned at more than an 18-degree
                                                installed at an angle of greater than 18                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
                                                degrees, but substantially less than 90                                                                       angle to the vertical plane containing
                                                                                                        Gardlin, Airframe and Cabin Safety,                   the airplane centerline must be
                                                degrees, to the centerline of the                       ANM–115, Transport Airplane
                                                airplane, nor for airbag devices. These                                                                       protected from head injury by a safety
                                                                                                        Directorate, Aircraft Certification                   belt and an energy-absorbing rest that
                                                special conditions contain the                          Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
                                                additional safety standards that the                                                                          supports the arms, shoulders, head, and
                                                                                                        Renton, Washington 98057–3356;                        spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder
                                                Administrator considers necessary to                    telephone 425–227–2136; facsimile
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to                                                                     harness that prevents the head from
                                                                                                        425–227–1149.                                         contacting injurious objects. The FAA
                                                that established by the existing
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA                    concluded that a maximum 18-degree
                                                airworthiness standards.
                                                                                                        has determined that notice of, and                    angle would provide an adequate level
                                                DATES: This action is effective on April                opportunity for prior public comment                  of safety based on tests that were
                                                28, 2015. We must receive your                          on, these special conditions are                      performed at that time, and thus
                                                comments by June 12, 2015.                              impracticable because these procedures                adopted that standard.
                                                ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                     would significantly delay issuance of                    Part 25 was amended June 16, 1988,
                                                by docket number FAA–2015–0692                          the design approval and thus delivery of              by Amendment 25–64, to revise the
                                                using any of the following methods:                     the affected airplane.                                emergency-landing conditions that must
                                                   • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                    The FAA therefore finds that good                  be considered in the design of the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                  cause exists for making these special                 airplane. Amendment 25–64 revised the
                                                the online instructions for sending your                conditions effective upon publication in              static-load conditions in § 25.561, and
                                                comments electronically.                                the Federal Register.                                 added a new § 25.562 that required
                                                   • Mail: Send comments to Docket                                                                            dynamic testing for all seats approved
                                                Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                    Comments Invited                                      for occupancy during takeoff and
                                                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                     We invite interested people to take                 landing. The intent of Amendment 25–
                                                Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                          part in this rulemaking by sending                    64 is to provide an improved level of


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:35 Apr 27, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\28APR1.SGM   28APR1


                                                23442               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 81 / Tuesday, April 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                safety for occupants on transport-                      Considerations, at Amendment 25–106;                  787, these existing special conditions do
                                                category airplanes. Because most seating                and § 25.125, Landing, at Amendment                   not fully address the complex occupant-
                                                is forward-facing on transport-category                 25–108.                                               loading conditions introduced by a seat
                                                airplanes, the pass/fail criteria                          In addition, the certification basis               that is at an oblique angle to the
                                                developed in Amendment 25–64                            includes certain special conditions,                  centerline of the airplane. Special
                                                focused primarily on these seats. As a                  exemptions, or later amended sections                 Conditions 25–458–SC, ‘‘Boeing Model
                                                result, the FAA issued Policy                           of the applicable part that are not                   787 Series Airplanes; Single-place Side-
                                                Memorandums ANM–03–115–30,                              relevant to these special conditions.                 facing Seats with Inflatable Lapbelts,’’
                                                ‘‘Side-facing Seats on Transport                           If the Administrator finds that the                apply to fully side-facing (90 degree)
                                                Category Airplanes,’’ and PS–ANM–                       applicable airworthiness regulations                  seats installed on the 787. Special
                                                100–2000–00123 ‘‘Guidance for                           (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                 Conditions 25–552–SC, ‘‘Boeing Model
                                                Demonstrating Compliance with Seat                      adequate or appropriate safety standards              787–9, Side-Facing Seats,’’ were
                                                Dynamic Testing for Plinths and                         for the Boeing Model 787–9 airplane                   applicable to a specific 49-degree
                                                Pallets,’’ to provide the additional                    because of a novel or unusual design                  oblique seat installation, and do not
                                                guidance necessary to demonstrate the                   feature, special conditions are                       contain sufficient criteria for general
                                                level of safety required by the                         prescribed under the provisions of                    oblique seat installations.
                                                regulations for fully side-facing seats.                § 21.16.                                                Boeing is installing airbag devices on
                                                   To reflect current research findings,                   Special conditions are initially                   these seats, either in the lapbelts or
                                                the FAA developed a methodology to                      applicable to the model for which they                mounted in the structure around the
                                                address all fully side-facing seats (i.e,               are issued. Should the type certificate               seats. Airbag devices installed in
                                                seats oriented in the airplane with the                 for that model be amended later to                    lapbelts on the 787 are addressed by
                                                occupant facing 90 degrees to the                       include any other model that                          Special Conditions 25–431–SC, ‘‘Boeing
                                                direction of airplane travel) and has                   incorporates the same novel or unusual                Model 787 Series Airplanes; Seats With
                                                documented those requirements in a set                  design feature, or should any other                   Inflatable Lapbelts.’’ We are currently
                                                of proposed new special conditions. The                 model already included on the same                    developing special conditions to apply
                                                FAA issued Policy Statement PS–ANM–                     type certificate be modified to                       to structure-mounted airbag devices
                                                25–03–R1 to document the injury                         incorporate the same novel or unusual                 installed on the 787.
                                                criteria associated with neck and leg                   design feature, the special conditions                Discussion
                                                injuries for fully side-facing seats that               would also apply to the other model.
                                                will be used in special conditions                         In addition to the applicable                        The business-class seating
                                                issued after the implementation of the                  airworthiness regulations and special                 configuration proposed by Boeing is
                                                policy.                                                 conditions, the Boeing Model 787–9                    unique due to the seat installation at a
                                                   The criteria described in the above                  airplane must comply with the fuel-vent               30-degree angle to the airplane
                                                policy statements were written for fully                and exhaust-emission requirements of                  centerline. Special Conditions 25–458–
                                                side-facing seats and do not fully                      14 CFR part 34, and the noise-                        SC and 25–552–SC were not intended to
                                                address the complex occupant-loading                    certification requirements of 14 CFR                  address this configuration, nor is this
                                                conditions introduced by a seat that is                 part 36.                                              configuration specifically addressed by
                                                at an oblique angle to the centerline of                   The FAA issues special conditions, as              Policy Statement PS–ANM–25–03–R1
                                                the airplane. The Model 787–9 business-                 defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                (which is intended to address fully side-
                                                class seat installation is novel such that              with § 11.38, and they become part of                 facing seats, i.e., 90-degree installation
                                                the current Model 787 side-facing seat                  the type-certification basis under                    angle). However, we believe the
                                                special conditions do not adequately                    § 21.101.                                             occupant-injury criteria conveyed in
                                                convey occupant protection                                                                                    this policy statement is applicable to
                                                                                                        Novel or Unusual Design Features                      this type of configuration as it applies
                                                expectations for an oblique-seat
                                                installation. Therefore, the configuration                 The Boeing Model 787–9 airplane will               to evaluating neck injuries. Due to the
                                                Boeing proposes requires new special                    incorporate the following novel or                    unique seat-installation angle, these
                                                conditions.                                             unusual design features:                              special conditions also include spinal-
                                                                                                           Installation of Zodiac Seats France                loading injury criteria.
                                                Type Certification Basis                                Cirrus III model oblique business-class                 These special conditions contain the
                                                   Under the provisions of Title 14, Code               passenger seats manufactured by Zodiac                additional safety standards that the
                                                of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,                 Seats UK, which are seats installed at an             Administrator considers necessary to
                                                Boeing must show that the 787–9, as                     angle of 30 degrees to the airplane                   establish a level of safety equivalent to
                                                changed, continues to meet the                          centerline. These seats will include                  that established by the existing
                                                applicable provisions of the regulations                airbag devices for occupant restraint and             airworthiness standards.
                                                listed in Type Certificate No. T00021SE,                injury protection. This particular design
                                                                                                        allows for the upper torso to align with              Applicability
                                                or the applicable regulations in effect on
                                                the date of application for the change,                 the impact vector, but may restrict the                 As discussed above, these special
                                                except for earlier amendments as agreed                 knees/legs from fully aligning. The                   conditions are applicable to the Boeing
                                                upon by the FAA. The regulations listed                 applicable airworthiness regulations do               Model 787–9 airplane. These special
                                                in the type certificate are commonly                    not contain adequate or appropriate                   conditions can be applied to oblique
                                                referred to as the ‘‘original type-                     safety standards for occupants of seats               seats installed at an angle greater than
                                                certification basis.’’                                  installed in the proposed configuration.              18 degrees but less than 46 degrees to
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                                                   The regulations listed in T00021SE                      To provide a level of safety equivalent            the vertical plane containing the
                                                are as follows:                                         to that afforded to occupants of forward-             airplane centerline. Should Boeing
                                                   The type-certification basis for the                 and aft-facing seats, additional                      apply at a later date for a change to the
                                                Model 787–9 airplane is 14 CFR part 25,                 airworthiness standards, in the form of               type certificate to include another
                                                effective February 1, 1965, as amended                  special conditions, are necessary.                    model incorporating the same novel or
                                                by Amendments 25–1 through 25–128,                      Although we have issued side-facing-                  unusual design feature, the special
                                                except § 25.795, Security                               seat special conditions applicable to the             conditions would apply to that model as


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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 81 / Tuesday, April 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                              23443

                                                well. The angle of installation and                     performance, then additional analysis or              ‘‘Guidance for Demonstrating
                                                detailed design features will determine                 separate test(s) may be necessary to                  Compliance with Seat Dynamic Testing
                                                the nature of the occupant response.                    evaluate performance.                                 for Plinths and Pallets,’’ is acceptable to
                                                The FAA will amend these special                           3. Neck Injury Criteria: The seating               the FAA.
                                                conditions or issue new special                         system must protect the occupant from
                                                                                                        experiencing serious neck injury. The                 Inflatable Lapbelt Conditions
                                                conditions, should unusual occupant
                                                response in the required dynamic tests,                 assessment of neck injury must be                       If inflatable lapbelts are installed on
                                                or additional research into occupant-                   conducted with the inflatable restraint               single-place side-facing seats, the
                                                injury mechanisms, indicate these                       activated unless there is reason to also              inflatable lapbelt(s) must meet Special
                                                special conditions are inadequate. Any                  consider that the neck-injury potential               Conditions 25–431–SC.
                                                future special conditions would include                 would be higher below the inflatable-                   Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14,
                                                due public notice.                                      restraint threshold.                                  2015.
                                                                                                           a. The Nij must be below 1.0, where                Michael Kaszycki,
                                                Conclusion
                                                                                                        Nij = Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij intercepts             Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
                                                   This action affects only certain novel               limited to:                                           Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                or unusual design features on one model                    i. Fzc = 1530 lb for tension.
                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2015–09784 Filed 4–27–15; 8:45 am]
                                                of airplane. It is not a rule of general                   ii. Fzc = 1385 lb for compression.
                                                applicability.                                             iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion.                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                   Under standard practice, the effective                  iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension.
                                                date of final special conditions would                     b. In addition, peak Fz must be below
                                                be 30 days after the date of publication                937 lb in tension and 899 lb in                       DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                                                in the Federal Register; however, as the                compression.
                                                certification date for the Boeing Model                    c. Rotation of the head about its                  Employment and Training
                                                787–9 airplane is imminent, the FAA                     vertical axis relative to the torso is                Administration
                                                finds that good cause exists to make                    limited to 105 degrees in either
                                                these special conditions effective upon                 direction from forward-facing.                        20 CFR Part 655
                                                publication in the Federal Register.                       d. The neck must not impact any
                                                                                                        surface.                                              Temporary Employment of Foreign
                                                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                         4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria:                Workers in the United States; CFR
                                                  Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                     a. The shoulders must remain aligned               Correction
                                                and recordkeeping requirements.                         with the hips throughout the impact
                                                                                                        sequence, or support for the upper torso                In Title 20 of the Code of Federal
                                                  The authority citation for these                                                                            Regulations, Parts 500 to 656, revised as
                                                special conditions is as follows:                       must be provided to prevent forward or
                                                                                                        lateral flailing beyond 45 degrees from               of April 1, 2014, on page 314, in
                                                  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,                                                                  § 655.10, the second paragraph (h) and
                                                44702, 44704.                                           the vertical during significant spinal
                                                                                                        loading.                                              the second paragraph (i) are removed.
                                                The Special Conditions                                     b. Significant concentrated loading on             [FR Doc. 2015–09948 Filed 4–27–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  Accordingly, pursuant to the                          the occupant’s spine, in the area                     BILLING CODE 1505–01–P

                                                authority delegated to me by the                        between the pelvis and shoulders
                                                Administrator, the following special                    during impact, including rebound, is
                                                conditions are issued as part of the type-              not acceptable. During this type of                   DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                                certification basis for Boeing Model                    contact, the interval for any rearward (X
                                                787–9 airplanes modified by Boeing.                     direction) acceleration exceeding 20g                 Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                        must be less than 3 milliseconds as
                                                Side-Facing Seats Conditions                            measured by the thoracic                              26 CFR Part 301
                                                   In addition to the requirements of                   instrumentation specified in 49 CFR
                                                § 25.562:                                               part 572, subpart E, filtered in                      [TD 9718]
                                                   1. Existing Criteria: Compliance with                accordance with SAE International
                                                                                                                                                              RIN 1545–BH37
                                                § 25.562(c)(5) is required, except that, if             (SAE) J211–1.
                                                the anthropomorphic test device (ATD)                      c. Occupant must not interact with                 Period of Limitations on Assessment
                                                has no apparent contact with the seat/                  the armrest or other seat components in               for Listed Transactions Not Disclosed
                                                structure but has contact with an                       any manner significantly different than               Under Section 6011; Correction
                                                inflatable restraint, a head-injury                     would be expected for a forward-facing
                                                criterion (HIC) unlimited score in excess               seat installation.                                    AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
                                                of 1000 is acceptable, provided the                        5. Longitudinal test(s), as necessary,             Treasury.
                                                HIC15 score for that contact is less than               must be performed with the FAA                        ACTION: Correcting amendments.
                                                700.                                                    Hybrid III ATD, undeformed floor, most-
                                                   2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact: If               critical yaw case(s) for injury, and with             SUMMARY:  This document contains
                                                a seat is installed aft of structure (e.g.,             all lateral structural supports (armrests/            corrections to final regulations (TD
                                                an interior wall or furnishing) that does               walls) installed. For the pass/fail injury            9718) that were published in the
                                                not provide a homogenous contact                        assessments, see the criteria listed in               Federal Register on Tuesday, March 31,
                                                surface for the expected range of                       special conditions 1 through 4, above.                2015 (80 FR 16973). The final
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                                                occupants and yaw angles, then                             Note: Boeing must demonstrate that                 regulations relating to the exception to
                                                additional analysis and/or test(s) may be               the installation of seats via plinths or              the general three-year period of
                                                required to demonstrate that the injury                 pallets meets all applicable                          limitations on assessment under section
                                                criteria are met for the area which an                  requirements. Compliance with the                     6501(c)(10) of the Internal Revenue
                                                occupant could contact. For example, if                 guidance contained in FAA Policy                      Code (Code) for listed transactions that
                                                different yaw angles could result in                    Memorandum PS–ANM–100–2000–                           taxpayer failed to disclosed as required
                                                different inflatable-restraint                          00123, dated February 2, 2000, titled                 under section 6011.


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Document Created: 2015-12-16 08:35:20
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 08:35:20
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal special condition; request for comments.
DatesThis action is effective on April 28, 2015. We must receive your comments by June 12, 2015.
ContactJeff Gardlin, Airframe and Cabin Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2136; facsimile 425-227-1149.
FR Citation80 FR 23441 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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