80_FR_57475 80 FR 57291 - Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 HondaJet, Lithium-ion Batteries

80 FR 57291 - Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 HondaJet, Lithium-ion Batteries

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 184 (September 23, 2015)

Page Range57291-57293
FR Document2015-24164

These special conditions are issued 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 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 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57291-57293]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24164]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No.FAA-2015-0721; Notice No. 23-269-SC]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued 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 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: These special conditions are effective September 23, 2015.

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:

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 (1) all 
characteristics of the rechargeable lithium batteries and their 
installation that could affect safe operation of the HA-420 are 
addressed, and (2) 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.
    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).
    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.

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 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

[[Page 57292]]

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 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 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, 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.

Discussion

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 23-15-03-SC for the Honda 
Aircraft Company, Model HA-420 airplane was published in the Federal 
Register on April 14, 2015 (80 FR 19889). No comments were received, 
and the special conditions are adopted as proposed.

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.
    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 Honda 
Aircraft Company HA-420 is imminent, the FAA finds that good cause 
exists to make these special conditions effective upon issuance.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability 
and it affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval 
of these features on the airplane.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704, 14 CFR 
21.16 and 14 CFR 11.38 and 11.19.

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 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

[[Page 57293]]

    (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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 14, 2015.
Mel Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24164 Filed 9-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        57291

                                                operation between normal inspections                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            section 611 of Public Law 92–574, the
                                                or overhauls.                                                                                                 ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’
                                                  d. Functions incorporated into any                    Background
                                                                                                                                                                 The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                electronic engine control that make it                     On October 11, 2006, Honda Aircraft                defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
                                                part of any equipment, systems, or                      Company applied for a type certificate                with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                                installation whose functions are beyond                 for their new Model HA–420. On                        the type-certification basis under
                                                that of basic engine control, and which                 October 10, 2013, Honda Aircraft                      § 21.17(a)(2).
                                                may also introduce system failures and                  Company requested an extension with                      Special conditions are initially
                                                malfunctions, are not exempt from                       an effective application date of October              applicable to the model for which they
                                                § 23.1309 and must be shown to meet                     1, 2013. This extension changed the                   are issued. Should the type certificate
                                                part 23 levels of safety as derived from                type certification basis to amendment                 for that model be amended later to
                                                § 23.1309. Part 33 certification data, if               23–62.                                                include any other model that
                                                applicable, may be used to show                            The HA–420 is a four to five                       incorporates the same or similar novel
                                                compliance with any part 23                             passenger (depending on configuration),               or unusual design feature, the special
                                                requirements. If part 33 data is used to                two crew, lightweight business jet with               conditions would also apply to the other
                                                substantiate compliance with part 23                    a 43,000-foot service ceiling and a                   model under § 21.101.
                                                requirements, then the applicant must                   maximum takeoff weight of 9963
                                                be able to provide this data for showing                pounds. The airplane is powered by two                Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                or compliance.                                          GE-Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF–                        The HA–420 will incorporate the
                                                  Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on                    120 turbofan engines.                                 following novel or unusual design
                                                September 14, 2015.                                        The current regulatory requirements                feature: The installation of Li-ion
                                                Mel Johnson,                                            for part 23 airplanes do not contain                  batteries.
                                                Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,             adequate requirements for the                           The current regulatory requirements
                                                Aircraft Certification Service.                         application of Li-ion batteries in                    for part 23 airplanes do not contain
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–24156 Filed 9–22–15; 8:45 am]             airborne applications. This type of                   adequate requirements for the
                                                BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  battery possesses certain failure,                    application of Li-ion batteries in
                                                                                                        operational characteristics, and                      airborne applications. This type of
                                                                                                        maintenance requirements that differ                  battery possesses certain failure,
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            significantly from that of the nickel                 operational characteristics, and
                                                                                                        cadmium and lead acid rechargeable                    maintenance requirements that differ
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         batteries currently approved in other                 significantly from that of the nickel
                                                                                                        normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter              cadmium and lead acid rechargeable
                                                14 CFR Part 23                                          category airplanes. Therefore, the FAA                batteries currently approved in other
                                                [Docket No.FAA–2015–0721; Notice No. 23–                is proposing this special condition to                normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter
                                                269–SC]                                                 require that (1) all characteristics of the           category airplanes.
                                                                                                        rechargeable lithium batteries and their
                                                Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft                      installation that could affect safe                   Discussion
                                                Company, Model HA–420 HondaJet,                         operation of the HA–420 are addressed,                   The applicable parts 21 and 23
                                                Lithium-ion Batteries                                   and (2) appropriate Instructions for                  airworthiness regulations governing the
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               Continued Airworthiness which include                 installation of batteries in general
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              maintenance requirements are                          aviation airplanes, including § 23.1353,
                                                ACTION: Final special conditions.                       established to ensure the availability of             were derived from Civil Air Regulations
                                                                                                        electrical power from the batteries when              (CAR 3) as part of the recodification that
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                 needed.                                               established 14 CFR part 23. The battery
                                                issued for the Honda Aircraft Company,                                                                        requirements, which are identified in
                                                Model HA–420 airplane. This airplane                    Type Certification Basis
                                                                                                                                                              § 23.1353, were a rewording of the CAR
                                                will have a novel or unusual design                        Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,              requirements that did not add any
                                                feature associated with the installation                Honda Aircraft Company must show                      substantive technical requirements. An
                                                of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The                  that the HA–420 meets the applicable                  increase in incidents involving battery
                                                applicable airworthiness regulations do                 provisions of part 23, as amended by                  fires and failures that accompanied the
                                                not contain adequate or appropriate                     Amendments 23–1 through 23–62                         increased use of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-
                                                safety standards for this design feature.               thereto.                                              Cad) batteries in aircraft resulted in
                                                These special conditions contain the                       If the Administrator finds that the                rulemaking activities on the battery
                                                additional safety standards that the                    applicable airworthiness regulations                  requirements for transport category
                                                Administrator considers necessary to                    (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain                 airplanes. These regulations were
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to               adequate or appropriate safety standards              incorporated into § 23.1353(f) and (g),
                                                that established by the existing                        for the HA–420 because of a novel or                  which apply only to Ni-Cad battery
                                                airworthiness standards.                                unusual design feature, special                       installations.
                                                DATES: These special conditions are                     conditions are prescribed under the                      The use of Li-ion batteries on the HA–
                                                effective September 23, 2015.                           provisions of § 21.16.                                420 airplane has prompted the FAA to
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les                       In addition to the applicable                      review the adequacy of the existing
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                                                Lyne, Policies & Procedures Branch,                     airworthiness regulations and special                 battery regulations with respect to that
                                                ACE–114, Federal Aviation                               conditions, the HA–420 must comply                    chemistry. As the result of this review,
                                                Administration, Small Airplane                          with the fuel vent and exhaust emission               the FAA has determined that the
                                                Directorate, Aircraft Certification                     requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the                existing regulations do not adequately
                                                Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City,                       noise certification requirements of 14                address several failure, operational, and
                                                Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329–                    CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a                 maintenance characteristics of Li-ion
                                                4171; facsimile (816) 329–4090.                         finding of regulatory adequacy under                  batteries that could affect safety of the


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                                                57292        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                battery installation of the HA–420                      a source of fuel for an external fire if              List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
                                                airplane electrical power supply.                       there is a breach of the battery                        Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
                                                   The introduction of Li-ion batteries                 container.                                            symbols.
                                                into aircraft raises some concern about                    These safety issues experienced by
                                                associated battery/cell monitoring                      users of lithium batteries raise concern              Citation
                                                systems and how these may affect                        about the use of these batteries in                     The authority citation for these
                                                utilization of an otherwise ‘‘good’’                    commercial aviation. The intent of the                special conditions is as follows:
                                                battery as an energy source to the                      special condition is to establish                       Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
                                                electrical system when monitoring                       appropriate airworthiness standards for               44702, 44704, 14 CFR 21.16 and 14 CFR
                                                components fail. Associated battery/cell                lithium battery installations in the HA–              11.38 and 11.19.
                                                monitoring systems (i.e., temperature,                  420 and to ensure, as required by
                                                state of charge, etc.) should be                        §§ 23.1309 and 23.601, that these battery             The Special Conditions
                                                evaluated/tested with respect the                       installations are not hazardous or                      Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                expected extremes in the aircraft                       unreliable.                                           authority delegated to me by the
                                                operating environment.                                     Additionally, RTCA, in a joint effort              Administrator, the following special
                                                   Li-ion batteries typically have                                                                            conditions are issued as part of the type
                                                                                                        with the FAA and industry, has released
                                                different electrical impedance                                                                                certification basis for Honda Aircraft
                                                                                                        RTCA/DO–311, Minimum Operational
                                                characteristics than lead-acid or Ni-Cad                                                                      Company, HA–420 airplanes.
                                                                                                        Performance Standards for Rechargeable
                                                batteries. Honda Aircraft Company
                                                                                                        Lithium Battery Systems, which gained                 1. Lithium-Ion Battery Installation
                                                needs to evaluate other components of
                                                                                                        much of its text directly from previous
                                                the aircraft electrical system with                                                                              a. Safe cell temperatures and
                                                                                                        Li-ion special conditions. Honda
                                                respect to these characteristics.                                                                             pressures must be maintained during
                                                   At present, there is very limited                    Aircraft Company proposes to use DO–
                                                                                                        311 as the primary methodology for                    any probable charging or discharging
                                                experience regarding the use of Li-ion                                                                        condition, or during any failure of the
                                                rechargeable batteries in applications                  assuring the battery will perform its
                                                                                                        intended functions safely as installed in             charging or battery monitoring system
                                                involving commercial aviation.                                                                                not shown to be extremely remote. The
                                                However, other users of this technology                 the HA–420 airplane and as the basis for
                                                                                                        test and qualification of the battery. This           applicant must design Li-ion battery
                                                range from wireless telephone                                                                                 installation to preclude explosion or fire
                                                manufacturers to the electric vehicle                   Special Condition incorporates
                                                                                                        applicable portions of DO–311.                        in the event of those failures.
                                                industry and have noted significant                                                                              b. The applicant must design the Li-
                                                safety issues regarding the use of these                Discussion                                            ion batteries to preclude the occurrence
                                                types of batteries, some of which are                                                                         of self-sustaining, uncontrolled
                                                described in the following paragraphs:                    Notice of proposed special conditions
                                                                                                        No. 23–15–03–SC for the Honda Aircraft                increases in temperature or pressure.
                                                   1. Overcharging. In general, lithium                                                                          c. No explosive or toxic gasses
                                                batteries are significantly more                        Company, Model HA–420 airplane was
                                                                                                                                                              emitted by any Li-ion battery in normal
                                                susceptible to internal failures that can               published in the Federal Register on
                                                                                                                                                              operation or as the result of any failure
                                                result in self-sustaining increases in                  April 14, 2015 (80 FR 19889). No
                                                                                                                                                              of the battery charging or monitoring
                                                temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal                 comments were received, and the
                                                                                                                                                              system, or battery installation not
                                                runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or                   special conditions are adopted as
                                                                                                                                                              shown to be extremely remote, may
                                                lead-acid counterparts. This is                         proposed.
                                                                                                                                                              accumulate in hazardous quantities
                                                especially true for overcharging, which                 Applicability                                         within the airplane.
                                                causes heating and destabilization of the                                                                        d. Li-ion batteries that contain
                                                components of the cell, leading to the                    As discussed above, these special
                                                                                                                                                              flammable fluids must comply with the
                                                formation (by plating) of highly unstable               conditions are applicable to the HA–
                                                                                                                                                              flammable fluid fire protection
                                                metallic lithium. The metallic lithium                  420. Should Honda Aircraft Company
                                                                                                                                                              requirements of § 23.863(a) through (d).
                                                can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining              apply at a later date for a change to the                e. No corrosive fluids or gasses that
                                                fire or explosion. Finally, the severity of             type certificate to include another                   may escape from any Li-ion battery may
                                                thermal runaway due to overcharging                     model incorporating the same novel or                 damage surrounding airplane structure
                                                increases with increasing battery                       unusual design feature, the special                   or adjacent essential equipment.
                                                capacity due to the higher amount of                    conditions would apply to that model as                  f. The applicant must provide
                                                electrolyte in large batteries.                         well.                                                 provision for each installed Li-ion
                                                   2. Over-discharging. Discharge of                      Under standard practice, the effective              battery to prevent any hazardous effect
                                                some types of lithium battery cells                     date of final special conditions would                on structure or essential systems that
                                                beyond a certain voltage (typically 2.4                 be 30 days after the date of publication              may be caused by the maximum amount
                                                volts) can cause corrosion of the                       in the Federal Register; however, as the              of heat the battery can generate during
                                                electrodes of the cell; resulting in loss               certification date for the Honda Aircraft             a short circuit of the battery or of its
                                                of battery capacity that cannot be                      Company HA–420 is imminent, the                       individual cells.
                                                reversed by recharging. This loss of                    FAA finds that good cause exists to                      g. Li-ion battery installations must
                                                capacity may not be detected by the                     make these special conditions effective               have—
                                                simple voltage measurements                             upon issuance.                                           (1) A system to control the charging
                                                commonly available to flight crews as a                 Conclusion                                            rate of the battery automatically so as to
                                                means of checking battery status—a                                                                            prevent battery overheating or
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                                                problem shared with nickel-cadmium                        This action affects only certain novel              overcharging; or
                                                batteries.                                              or unusual design features on one model                  (2) A battery temperature sensing and
                                                   3. Flammability of Cell Components:                  of airplanes. It is not a rule of general             over-temperature warning system with a
                                                Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid                     applicability and it affects only the                 means for automatically disconnecting
                                                batteries, some types of lithium batteries              applicant who applied to the FAA for                  the battery from its charging source in
                                                use liquid electrolytes that are                        approval of these features on the                     the event of an over-temperature
                                                flammable. The electrolyte can serve as                 airplane.                                             condition; or


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                       57293

                                                   (3) A battery failure sensing and                    condition, the criticality of a function              and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), EPA
                                                warning system with a means for                         will include the mitigating factors. The              Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
                                                automatically disconnecting the battery                 failure conditions must address the loss              Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
                                                from its charging source in the event of                of function and improper operations.                  Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                battery failure.                                          Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on                 DC. The Public Reading Room is open
                                                   h. Any Li-ion battery installation                   September 14, 2015.                                   from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
                                                whose function is required for safe                     Mel Johnson,                                          through Friday, excluding legal
                                                operation of the airplane, must                                                                               holidays. The telephone number for the
                                                                                                        Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
                                                incorporate a monitoring and warning                                                                          Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
                                                                                                        Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                feature that will provide an indication                                                                       and the telephone number for the OPPT
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2015–24164 Filed 9–22–15; 8:45 am]
                                                to the appropriate flightcrew members                                                                         Docket is (202) 566–0280. Please review
                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                whenever the capacity and State of                                                                            the visitor instructions and additional
                                                Charge (SOC) of the batteries have fallen                                                                     information about the docket available
                                                below levels considered acceptable for                                                                        at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                                dispatch of the airplane.                               ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                                                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                   i. The Instructions for Continued                    AGENCY
                                                                                                                                                              technical information contact: Sue
                                                Airworthiness (ICA) must contain                                                                              Slotnick, National Program Chemicals
                                                recommended manufacturers                               40 CFR Parts 9 and 721
                                                                                                                                                              Division (7404T), Office of Pollution
                                                maintenance and inspection                              [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2011–0489; FRL 9927–44]                  Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
                                                requirements to ensure that batteries,                                                                        Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
                                                                                                        RIN 2070–AJ88
                                                including single cells, meet a safety                                                                         Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001;
                                                function level essential to the aircraft’s              Significant New Use Rule for                          telephone number: (202) 566–1973;
                                                continued airworthiness.                                Hexabromocyclododecane and                            email address: slotnick.sue@epa.gov.
                                                   (1) The ICA must contain operating                   1,2,5,6,9,10-Hexabromocyclododecane                      For general information contact: The
                                                instructions and equipment limitations                                                                        TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422
                                                in an installation maintenance manual.                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                     South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY
                                                   (2) The ICA must contain installation                Agency (EPA).                                         14620; telephone number: (202) 554–
                                                procedures and limitations in a                         ACTION: Final rule.                                   1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@
                                                maintenance manual, sufficient to                                                                             epa.gov.
                                                ensure that cells or batteries, when                    SUMMARY:    EPA is promulgating a
                                                installed according to the installation                 significant new use rule (SNUR) under                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                procedures, still meet safety functional                the Toxic Substances Control Act                      I. Executive Summary
                                                levels essential to the aircraft’s                      (TSCA) for two chemical substances
                                                continued airworthiness. The                            collectively referred to as ‘‘HBCD.’’ This            A. Does this action apply to me?
                                                limitations must identify any unique                    action requires persons who intend to                   You may be potentially affected by
                                                aspects of the installation.                            manufacture (including import) or                     this action if you manufacture (defined
                                                   (3) The ICA must contain corrective                  process hexabromocyclododecane or                     by statute to include import) or process
                                                maintenance procedures to check                         1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane                   hexabromocyclododecane (Chemical
                                                battery capacity at manufacturers                       (HBCD) for use in consumer textiles                   Abstracts Service Registry Number
                                                recommended inspection intervals.                       (other than for use in motor vehicles) to             (CASRN) 25637-99-4) or 1,2,5,6,9,10-
                                                   (4) The ICA must contain scheduled                   notify EPA at least 90 days before                    hexabromocyclododecane (CASRN
                                                servicing information to replace                        commencing that activity. The required                3194-55-6) for use in consumer textiles
                                                batteries at manufacturers                              notification will provide EPA with the                other than for use in motor vehicles.
                                                recommended replacement time.                           opportunity to evaluate the intended                  Throughout this final rule preamble, the
                                                   (5) The ICA must contain                             use and, if appropriate, to prohibit or               term ‘‘HBCD’’ represents both chemical
                                                maintenance and inspection                              limit that activity before it occurs. In              substances, unless a specific CASRN is
                                                requirements to check visually for                      this SNUR, the exemption for persons                  also noted. The North American
                                                battery and/or charger degradation.                     importing or processing a chemical                    Industrial Classification System
                                                   j. Batteries in a rotating stock (spares)            substance as part of an article does not              (NAICS) codes that are identified in this
                                                that have experienced degraded charge                   apply to importers and processors of                  unit are not intended to be exhaustive,
                                                retention capability or other damage due                HBCD as part of a textile article (e.g., as           but rather provide a guide to help
                                                to prolonged storage must be                            part of a bolt of cloth or part of an                 readers determine whether this rule
                                                functionally checked at manufacturers                   upholstered chair). EPA is also making                applies to them. Potentially affected
                                                recommended inspection intervals.                       a technical amendment to the codified                 entities may include:
                                                   k. The System Safety Assessment                      list of control numbers for approved                    • Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS
                                                (SSA) process should address the                        information collection activities so that             code 325).
                                                software and complex hardware levels                    it includes the control number assigned                 • Painting and Wall Covering
                                                for the sensing, monitoring, and                        by the Office of Management and                       Contractors (NAICS code 238320).
                                                warning systems if these systems                        Budget (OMB) to the information                         • Textile and Fabric Finishing (except
                                                contain complex devices. The                            collection activities contained in this               Broadwoven Fabric) Mills (NAICS code
                                                functional hazard assessment (FHA) for                  rule.                                                 313312).
                                                the system is required based on the                                                                             • Curtain and Drapery Mills (NAICS
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                intended functions described. The                       DATES:  This final rule is effective                  code 314121).
                                                criticality of the specific functions will              November 23, 2015.                                      • Other Household Textile Product
                                                be determined by the safety assessment                  ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,                Mills (NAICS code 314129).
                                                process for compliance with § 23.1309.                  identified by docket identification (ID)                • All Other Miscellaneous Textile
                                                Advisory Circular 23–1309–1C contains                   number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2011–0489, is                      Product Mills (NAICS code 314999).
                                                acceptable means for accomplishing this                 available at http://www.regulations.gov                 • Upholstered Household Furniture
                                                requirement. For determining the failure                or at the Office of Pollution Prevention              Manufacturing (NAICS code 337121).


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:44:25
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:44:25
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 conditions.
DatesThese special conditions are effective September 23, 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 57291 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

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