80_FR_58786 80 FR 58597 - Special Conditions: Flight Structures, Inc., Boeing Model 777-200 Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Airbag Devices

80 FR 58597 - Special Conditions: Flight Structures, Inc., Boeing Model 777-200 Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Airbag Devices

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 189 (September 30, 2015)

Page Range58597-58599
FR Document2015-24727

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Flight Structures, Inc., will have novel or unusual design features associated with oblique-angled, single-occupant seats equipped with airbag systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58597-58599]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24727]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3367; Special Conditions No. 25-596-SC]


Special Conditions: Flight Structures, Inc., Boeing Model 777-200 
Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) 
Seats With Airbag Devices

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 777-200 
airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Flight Structures, Inc., will 
have novel or unusual design features associated with oblique-angled, 
single-occupant seats equipped with airbag systems. The applicable 
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 
standards for these design features. These special conditions contain 
the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary 
to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the 
existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is September 30, 
2015. We must receive your comments by November 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-3367 
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: John Shelden, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-2785; 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.
    In addition, the substance of these special conditions has been 
subject to the public-comment process in several prior instances with 
no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that good 
cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon 
issuance.

[[Page 58598]]

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 7, 2014, Flight Structures, Inc., applied for a 
supplemental type certificate to allow the installation of oblique 
business-class passenger seats, positioned at 32.5 degrees to the 
vertical plane of the airplane longitudinal centerline, and to include 
inflatable lap belts, in Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes.
    The seating configuration Flight Structures, Inc., proposes in 
certification plan No. B3FS332-D10 includes the installation of TSO-
39c-approved, Zodiac Aries model, side-facing, pod-style, business-
class seats (with surrounding shells and front-row furniture), 
installed at an angle of up to 32.5 degrees to the airplane 
longitudinal centerline. These seats will include restraint (airbag) 
systems for occupant restraint and injury protection.
    The Boeing Model 777-200 airplane, approved under Type Certificate 
No. T00001SE, is a swept-wing, conventional-tail, twin-engine, 
turbofan-powered transport airplane, with seating capacity for 440 
passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Flight Structures, Inc., must show that the Model 777-200 
airplane, as changed, meets the applicable provisions of the 
regulations listed in Type Certificate No. T00001SE, 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 Type 
Certificate No. T00001SE are as follows:
    14 CFR part 25, Amendments 25-1 through 25-82, with exceptions 
listed in the type-certification data sheet. 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 Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes because 
of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
these special conditions would also apply to the other model under 
Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Boeing Model 777-200 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 business-class seating configuration Flight Structures, Inc., 
proposes is novel and unusual due to the seat installation at 32.5 
degrees to the aircraft centerline, the airbag-system installation, and 
the seat/occupant interface with the surrounding furniture that 
introduces occupant alignment and loading concerns. The proposed 
business-class seating configuration also is beyond the limits of 
current acceptable equivalent-level-of-safety findings.
    Ongoing research is progressing to establish acceptable limits. 
Until those limits become available, the FAA proposes a set of interim 
limits based on the current literature available, current National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, and 
preliminary test data from the research program.
    The existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate 
safety standards for occupants of oblique-angled seats with airbag 
systems. To provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that 
afforded occupants of forward- and aft-facing seats, additional 
airworthiness standards, in the form of special conditions, are 
necessary. These special conditions supplement part 25 and, more 
specifically, supplement Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785. The requirements 
contained in these special conditions consist of both test conditions 
and injury pass/fail criteria.

Discussion

    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 side-facing seats to require that each occupant of a 
seat, positioned at more than an 18-degree angle to the vertical plane 
of the airplane longitudinal centerline, must be protected from head 
injury by a safety belt and an energy-absorbing rest that will support 
the arms, shoulders, head, and spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder 
harness that will prevent the head from contacting any injurious 
object. The FAA concluded that an 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 
14 CFR 25.561, and added the new Sec.  25.562 that requires 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 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 and 
PS-ANM-100-2000-00123 to provide the additional guidance necessary to 
demonstrate the level of safety required by the regulations for side-
facing seats.
    To reflect current research findings, the FAA developed a 
methodology to address all fully side-facing seats (i.e., seats 
positioned in the airplane with the occupant facing 90 degrees to the 
vertical plane of the airplane centerline), and has documented those 
requirements in a set of new special conditions. The FAA issued Policy 
Statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1 to define revised injury criteria associated 
with neck and leg injuries.
    The proposed Model 777-200 airplane business-class seat 
installation is novel such that the current Model 777-200 airplane 
certification basis does not adequately protection of the occupant's 
neck and spine for seat

[[Page 58599]]

configurations that are positioned at an angle greater than 18 degrees 
from the airplane centerline. Therefore, the Flight Structures, Inc., 
proposed configuration will require new special conditions.
    These special conditions will provide head injury criteria, neck 
injury criteria, spine injury criteria, and body-to-wall contact 
criteria. They 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

    These special conditions are applicable to the Boeing Model 777-200 
airplanes configured with the business-class seating defined in Flight 
Structures, Inc., certification plan No. B3FS332-D10. Should Flight 
Structures, Inc., apply at a later date for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate No. 
T00001SE to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these 
special conditions would apply to the other model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability, 
and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of 
these features on the airplane.
    The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the 
notice and comment period in several prior instances, and has been 
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is 
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change 
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would 
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, the FAA has 
determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and 
impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special 
conditions upon publication in the Federal Register. The FAA is 
requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views that 
may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities for 
comment described above.

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 the Boeing Model 777-200 airplane.

Side-Facing Seats Special Conditions

    In addition to the requirements of Sec.  25.562:

1. Head-Injury 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 airbag, a head-injury criterion 
(HIC) unlimited score in excess of 1000 is acceptable, provided the 
HIC15 score (calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) 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 that an occupant could contact. For example, if 
different yaw angles could result in different airbag 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 airbag device activated, unless there is reason to also 
consider that the neck-injury potential would be higher for impacts 
below the airbag-device deployment threshold.
    a. The Nij (calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 
571.208) must be below 1.0, where Nij =Fz/
Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij 
critical values are:
    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 that would produce 
concentrated loading on the neck.

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. Alternatively, the lumbar spine 
tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1200 lb.
    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), conducted to measure the injury criteria 
above, must be performed with the FAA Hybrid III ATD, as described in 
SAE 1999-01-1609. The test(s) must be conducted with an undeformed 
floor, at the most-critical yaw case(s) for injury, and with all 
lateral structural supports (armrests/walls) installed.

    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 Lap Belt Special Conditions

    If inflatable lap belts are installed on single-place side-facing 
seats, the lap belts must meet Special Conditions No. 25-187A-SC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24727 Filed 9-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 189 / Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                      58597

                                                installed such that the inflatable lap belt             demonstrated to reliably operate                         Mail: Send comments to Docket
                                                would not properly deploy.                              between inspection intervals.                         Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of
                                                Alternatively, it must be shown that                       14. The inflatable material may not                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                such deployment is not hazardous to the                 have an average burn rate of greater than             Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
                                                occupant, and will provide the required                 2.5 inches per minute when tested using               Building Ground Floor, Washington,
                                                head-injury protection.                                 the horizontal-flammability test as                   DC, 20590–0001.
                                                   4. The inflatable lap-belt system must               defined in 14 CFR part 25, Appendix F,                   Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
                                                be shown not to be susceptible to                       Part I(b)(5).                                         comments to Docket Operations in
                                                inadvertent deployment as a result of                      15. The airbag system in the lap belt,
                                                                                                                                                              Room W12–140 of the West Building
                                                wear and tear, or inertial loads resulting              once deployed, must not adversely
                                                                                                                                                              Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
                                                from in-flight or ground maneuvers                      affect the emergency-lighting system
                                                                                                                                                              Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
                                                (including gusts and hard landings),                    (i.e., block floor-proximity lights to the
                                                                                                                                                              a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                                likely to be experienced in service.                    extent that the lights no longer meet
                                                                                                                                                              Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                   5. Deployment of the inflatable lap                  their intended function).
                                                belt must not introduce injury                                                                                   Fax: Fax comments to Docket
                                                                                                          Issued in Renton, Washington, on
                                                mechanisms to the seated occupant, nor                  September 1, 2015.                                    Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                                result in injuries that could impede                    Jeffrey E. Duven,                                        Privacy: The FAA will post all
                                                rapid egress. This assessment should                    Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,              comments it receives, without change,
                                                include an occupant who is in the brace                 Aircraft Certification Service.                       to http://www.regulations.gov/,
                                                position when it deploys, and an                        [FR Doc. 2015–24725 Filed 9–29–15; 8:45 am]           including any personal information the
                                                occupant whose inflatable lap belt is                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                              commenter provides. Using the search
                                                loosely fastened.                                                                                             function of the docket Web site, anyone
                                                   6. An inadvertent deployment that                                                                          can find and read the electronic form of
                                                could cause injury to a standing or                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          all comments received into any FAA
                                                sitting person must be shown to be                                                                            docket, including the name of the
                                                improbable.                                             Federal Aviation Administration                       individual sending the comment (or
                                                   7. It must be shown that inadvertent                                                                       signing the comment for an association,
                                                deployment of the airbag system in the                  14 CFR Part 25                                        business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
                                                lap belt, during the most critical part of                                                                    complete Privacy Act Statement can be
                                                                                                        [Docket No. FAA–2015–3367; Special
                                                the flight, either will not cause a hazard              Conditions No. 25–596–SC]                             found in the Federal Register published
                                                to the airplane or its occupants, or meets                                                                    on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
                                                the requirement of § 25.1309(b).                        Special Conditions: Flight Structures,                as well as at http://DocketsInfo.
                                                   8. The inflatable lap belt must be                   Inc., Boeing Model 777–200 Dynamic                    dot.gov/.
                                                shown to not impede rapid egress of                     Test Requirements for Single-                            Docket: Background documents or
                                                occupants 10 seconds after its                          Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats                 comments received may be read at
                                                deployment.                                             With Airbag Devices                                   http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.
                                                   9. The inflatable lap-belt system must
                                                                                                        AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                             Follow the online instructions for
                                                be protected from lightning and HIRF.
                                                                                                        Administration (FAA), DOT.                            accessing the docket or go to Docket
                                                The threats specified in existing
                                                                                                        ACTION: Final special conditions; request
                                                                                                                                                              Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                                regulations regarding lightning,
                                                                                                        for comments.                                         West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                § 25.1316, and HIRF, § 25.1317, are
                                                                                                                                                              New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                incorporated by reference for the
                                                                                                        SUMMARY:   These special conditions are               DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                purpose of measuring lightning and
                                                                                                        issued for Boeing Model 777–200                       through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                HIRF protection. For the purposes of
                                                                                                        airplanes. This airplane, as modified by
                                                complying with HIRF requirements, the                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:    John
                                                                                                        Flight Structures, Inc., will have novel
                                                inflatable lap-belt system is considered                                                                      Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety,
                                                                                                        or unusual design features associated
                                                a ‘‘critical system’’ if its deployment                                                                       ANM–115, Transport Airplane
                                                                                                        with oblique-angled, single-occupant
                                                could have a hazardous effect on the                                                                          Directorate, Aircraft Certification
                                                                                                        seats equipped with airbag systems. The
                                                airplane; otherwise it is considered an                                                                       Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
                                                                                                        applicable airworthiness regulations do
                                                ‘‘essential’’ system.                                                                                         Renton, Washington 98057–3356;
                                                   10. The inflatable lap belt must                     not contain adequate or appropriate
                                                                                                                                                              telephone 425–227–2785; facsimile
                                                function properly after loss of normal                  safety standards for these design
                                                                                                                                                              425–227–1149.
                                                airplane electrical power, and after a                  features. These special conditions
                                                                                                        contain the additional safety standards               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     The FAA
                                                transverse separation of the fuselage at
                                                                                                        the Administrator considers necessary                 has determined that notice of, and
                                                the most critical location. A separation
                                                                                                        to establish a level of safety equivalent             opportunity for, prior public comment
                                                at the location of the lap belt does not
                                                                                                        to that established by the existing                   on these special conditions are
                                                have to be considered.
                                                   11. The inflatable lap belt must be                  airworthiness standards.                              impracticable because these procedures
                                                shown to not release hazardous                          DATES: The effective date of these                    would significantly delay issuance of
                                                quantities of gas or particulate matter                 special conditions is September 30,                   the design approval and thus delivery of
                                                into the cabin.                                         2015. We must receive your comments                   the affected airplane.
                                                   12. The inflatable lap-belt installation             by November 16, 2015.                                    In addition, the substance of these
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                must be protected from the effects of fire              ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                   special conditions has been subject to
                                                such that no hazard to occupants will                   by docket number FAA–2015–3367                        the public-comment process in several
                                                result.                                                 using any of the following methods:                   prior instances with no substantive
                                                   13. A means must be available for a                     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                 comments received. The FAA therefore
                                                crewmember to verify the integrity of                   http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                finds that good cause exists for making
                                                the inflatable-lap-belt-activation system               the online instructions for sending your              these special conditions effective upon
                                                prior to each flight, or it must be                     comments electronically.                              issuance.


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                                                58598        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 189 / Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Comments Invited                                           If the Administrator finds that the                Discussion
                                                  We invite interested people to take                   applicable airworthiness regulations                     Amendment 25–15 to part 25, dated
                                                part in this rulemaking by sending                      (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                 October 24, 1967, introduced the subject
                                                written comments, data, or views. The                   adequate or appropriate safety standards              of side-facing seats, and a requirement
                                                most helpful comments reference a                       for Boeing Model 777–200 airplanes                    that each occupant in a side-facing seat
                                                specific portion of the special                         because of a novel or unusual design                  must be protected from head injury by
                                                conditions, explain the reason for any                  feature, special conditions are                       a safety belt and a cushioned rest that
                                                recommended change, and include                         prescribed under § 21.16.                             will support the arms, shoulders, head,
                                                supporting data.                                           Special conditions are initially
                                                                                                                                                              and spine.
                                                  We will consider all comments we                      applicable to the model for which they
                                                                                                                                                                 Subsequently, Amendment 25–20,
                                                receive by the closing date for                         are issued. Should the applicant apply
                                                                                                                                                              dated April 23, 1969, clarified the
                                                comments. We may change these special                   for a supplemental type certificate to
                                                                                                                                                              definition of side-facing seats to require
                                                conditions based on the comments we                     modify any other model included on the
                                                                                                                                                              that each occupant of a seat, positioned
                                                receive.                                                same type certificate to incorporate the
                                                                                                                                                              at more than an 18-degree angle to the
                                                                                                        same novel or unusual design feature,
                                                Background                                                                                                    vertical plane of the airplane
                                                                                                        these special conditions would also
                                                                                                                                                              longitudinal centerline, must be
                                                  On July 7, 2014, Flight Structures,                   apply to the other model under § 21.101.
                                                                                                           In addition to the applicable                      protected from head injury by a safety
                                                Inc., applied for a supplemental type                                                                         belt and an energy-absorbing rest that
                                                certificate to allow the installation of                airworthiness regulations and special
                                                                                                        conditions, the Boeing Model 777–200                  will support the arms, shoulders, head,
                                                oblique business-class passenger seats,                                                                       and spine; or by a safety belt and
                                                positioned at 32.5 degrees to the vertical              airplane must comply with the fuel-vent
                                                                                                        and exhaust-emission requirements of                  shoulder harness that will prevent the
                                                plane of the airplane longitudinal                                                                            head from contacting any injurious
                                                centerline, and to include inflatable lap               14 CFR part 34, and the noise-
                                                                                                        certification requirements of 14 CFR                  object. The FAA concluded that an 18-
                                                belts, in Boeing Model 777–200
                                                                                                        part 36.                                              degree angle would provide an adequate
                                                airplanes.
                                                                                                           The FAA issues special conditions as               level of safety based on tests that were
                                                  The seating configuration Flight
                                                Structures, Inc., proposes in                           defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                performed at that time, and thus
                                                certification plan No. B3FS332–D10                      with § 11.38, and they become part of                 adopted that standard.
                                                                                                        the type certification basis under                       Part 25 was amended June 16, 1988,
                                                includes the installation of TSO–39c-
                                                                                                        § 21.101.                                             by Amendment 25–64, to revise the
                                                approved, Zodiac Aries model, side-
                                                facing, pod-style, business-class seats                                                                       emergency-landing conditions that must
                                                                                                        Novel or Unusual Design Features                      be considered in the design of the
                                                (with surrounding shells and front-row
                                                furniture), installed at an angle of up to                 The business-class seating                         airplane. Amendment 25–64 revised the
                                                32.5 degrees to the airplane longitudinal               configuration Flight Structures, Inc.,                static-load conditions in 14 CFR 25.561,
                                                centerline. These seats will include                    proposes is novel and unusual due to                  and added the new § 25.562 that
                                                restraint (airbag) systems for occupant                 the seat installation at 32.5 degrees to              requires dynamic testing for all seats
                                                restraint and injury protection.                        the aircraft centerline, the airbag-system            approved for occupancy during takeoff
                                                  The Boeing Model 777–200 airplane,                    installation, and the seat/occupant                   and landing. The intent of Amendment
                                                approved under Type Certificate No.                     interface with the surrounding furniture              25–64 is to provide an improved level
                                                T00001SE, is a swept-wing,                              that introduces occupant alignment and                of safety for occupants on transport-
                                                conventional-tail, twin-engine, turbofan-               loading concerns. The proposed                        category airplanes. Because most seating
                                                powered transport airplane, with seating                business-class seating configuration also             is forward-facing on transport-category
                                                capacity for 440 passengers.                            is beyond the limits of current                       airplanes, the pass/fail criteria
                                                                                                        acceptable equivalent-level-of-safety                 developed in Amendment 25–64
                                                Type Certification Basis                                findings.                                             focused primarily on these seats. As a
                                                   Under the provisions of title 14, Code                  Ongoing research is progressing to                 result, the FAA issued Policy
                                                of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,                 establish acceptable limits. Until those              Memorandums ANM–03–115–30 and
                                                Flight Structures, Inc., must show that                 limits become available, the FAA                      PS–ANM–100–2000–00123 to provide
                                                the Model 777–200 airplane, as                          proposes a set of interim limits based on             the additional guidance necessary to
                                                changed, meets the applicable                           the current literature available, current             demonstrate the level of safety required
                                                provisions of the regulations listed in                 National Highway Traffic Safety                       by the regulations for side-facing seats.
                                                Type Certificate No. T00001SE, or the                   Administration (NHTSA) regulations,                      To reflect current research findings,
                                                applicable regulations in effect on the                 and preliminary test data from the                    the FAA developed a methodology to
                                                date of application for the change,                     research program.                                     address all fully side-facing seats (i.e.,
                                                except for earlier amendments as agreed                    The existing regulations do not                    seats positioned in the airplane with the
                                                upon by the FAA. The regulations listed                 provide adequate or appropriate safety                occupant facing 90 degrees to the
                                                in the type certificate are commonly                    standards for occupants of oblique-                   vertical plane of the airplane
                                                referred to as the ‘‘original type-                     angled seats with airbag systems. To                  centerline), and has documented those
                                                certification basis.’’ The regulations                  provide a level of safety that is                     requirements in a set of new special
                                                listed in Type Certificate No. T00001SE                 equivalent to that afforded occupants of              conditions. The FAA issued Policy
                                                are as follows:                                         forward- and aft-facing seats, additional             Statement PS–ANM–25–03–R1 to define
                                                   14 CFR part 25, Amendments 25–1                      airworthiness standards, in the form of               revised injury criteria associated with
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                                                through 25–82, with exceptions listed in                special conditions, are necessary. These              neck and leg injuries.
                                                the type-certification data sheet. In                   special conditions supplement part 25                    The proposed Model 777–200
                                                addition, the certification basis includes              and, more specifically, supplement                    airplane business-class seat installation
                                                certain special conditions, exemptions,                 §§ 25.562 and 25.785. The requirements                is novel such that the current Model
                                                or later amended sections of the                        contained in these special conditions                 777–200 airplane certification basis
                                                applicable part that are not relevant to                consist of both test conditions and                   does not adequately protection of the
                                                these special conditions.                               injury pass/fail criteria.                            occupant’s neck and spine for seat


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 189 / Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                              58599

                                                configurations that are positioned at an                The Special Conditions                                4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria
                                                angle greater than 18 degrees from the                    Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                airplane centerline. Therefore, the Flight                                                                       a. The shoulders must remain aligned
                                                                                                        authority delegated to me by the                      with the hips throughout the impact
                                                Structures, Inc., proposed configuration                Administrator, the following special
                                                will require new special conditions.                                                                          sequence, or support for the upper torso
                                                                                                        conditions are issued as part of the type             must be provided to prevent forward or
                                                  These special conditions will provide                 certification basis for the Boeing Model
                                                head injury criteria, neck injury criteria,                                                                   lateral flailing beyond 45 degrees from
                                                                                                        777–200 airplane.
                                                spine injury criteria, and body-to-wall                                                                       the vertical during significant spinal
                                                contact criteria. They contain the                      Side-Facing Seats Special Conditions                  loading. Alternatively, the lumbar spine
                                                additional safety standards that the                      In addition to the requirements of                  tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1200 lb.
                                                Administrator considers necessary to                    § 25.562:                                                b. Significant concentrated loading on
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to                                                                     the occupant’s spine, in the area
                                                that established by the existing                        1. Head-Injury Criteria
                                                                                                                                                              between the pelvis and shoulders
                                                airworthiness standards.                                   Compliance with § 25.562(c)(5) is                  during impact, including rebound, is
                                                Applicability                                           required, except that, if the                         not acceptable. During this type of
                                                                                                        anthropomorphic test device (ATD) has                 contact, the interval for any rearward
                                                  These special conditions are                          no apparent contact with the seat/                    (X-direction) acceleration exceeding 20g
                                                applicable to the Boeing Model 777–200                  structure but has contact with an airbag,             must be less than 3 milliseconds as
                                                airplanes configured with the business-                 a head-injury criterion (HIC) unlimited               measured by the thoracic
                                                class seating defined in Flight                         score in excess of 1000 is acceptable,                instrumentation specified in 49 CFR
                                                Structures, Inc., certification plan No.                provided the HIC15 score (calculated in
                                                                                                                                                              part 572, subpart E, filtered in
                                                B3FS332–D10. Should Flight Structures,                  accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for
                                                                                                                                                              accordance with SAE International
                                                Inc., apply at a later date for a                       that contact is less than 700.
                                                supplemental type certificate to modify                                                                       (SAE) J211–1.
                                                                                                        2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact                       c. Occupant must not interact with
                                                any other model included on Type
                                                Certificate No. T00001SE to incorporate                    If a seat is installed aft of structure            the armrest or other seat components in
                                                the same novel or unusual design                        (e.g., an interior wall or furnishing) that           any manner significantly different than
                                                feature, these special conditions would                 does not provide a homogenous contact                 would be expected for a forward-facing
                                                apply to the other model as well.                       surface for the expected range of                     seat installation.
                                                                                                        occupants and yaw angles, then                           5. Longitudinal test(s), conducted to
                                                Conclusion                                              additional analysis and/or test(s) may be
                                                                                                                                                              measure the injury criteria above, must
                                                  This action affects only certain novel                required to demonstrate that the injury
                                                                                                                                                              be performed with the FAA Hybrid III
                                                or unusual design features on one model                 criteria are met for the area that an
                                                                                                                                                              ATD, as described in SAE 1999–01–
                                                of airplane. It is not a rule of general                occupant could contact. For example, if
                                                                                                        different yaw angles could result in                  1609. The test(s) must be conducted
                                                applicability, and affects only the
                                                                                                        different airbag performance, then                    with an undeformed floor, at the most-
                                                applicant who applied to the FAA for
                                                                                                        additional analysis or separate test(s)               critical yaw case(s) for injury, and with
                                                approval of these features on the
                                                airplane.                                               may be necessary to evaluate                          all lateral structural supports (armrests/
                                                                                                        performance.                                          walls) installed.
                                                  The substance of these special
                                                conditions has been subjected to the                    3. Neck Injury Criteria                                  Note: Boeing must demonstrate that the
                                                notice and comment period in several                                                                          installation of seats via plinths or pallets
                                                prior instances, and has been derived                     The seating system must protect the                 meets all applicable requirements.
                                                without substantive change from those                   occupant from experiencing serious                    Compliance with the guidance contained in
                                                previously issued. It is unlikely that                  neck injury. The assessment of neck                   FAA Policy Memorandum PS–ANM–100–
                                                prior public comment would result in a                  injury must be conducted with the                     2000–00123, dated February 2, 2000, titled
                                                significant change from the substance                   airbag device activated, unless there is              ‘‘Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance
                                                contained herein. Therefore, because a                  reason to also consider that the neck-                with Seat Dynamic Testing for Plinths and
                                                delay would significantly affect the                    injury potential would be higher for                  Pallets,’’ is acceptable to the FAA.
                                                certification of the airplane, the FAA                  impacts below the airbag-device
                                                has determined that prior public notice                 deployment threshold.                                 Inflatable Lap Belt Special Conditions
                                                and comment are unnecessary and                           a. The Nij (calculated in accordance
                                                                                                        with 49 CFR 571.208) must be below                      If inflatable lap belts are installed on
                                                impracticable, and good cause exists for                                                                      single-place side-facing seats, the lap
                                                adopting these special conditions upon                  1.0, where Nij =Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij
                                                                                                        critical values are:                                  belts must meet Special Conditions No.
                                                publication in the Federal Register. The
                                                                                                          i. Fzc = 1530 lb for tension                        25–187A–SC.
                                                FAA is requesting comments to allow
                                                interested persons to submit views that                   ii. Fzc = 1385 lb for compression                     Issued in Renton, Washington, on
                                                may not have been submitted in                            iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion                     September 2, 2015.
                                                response to the prior opportunities for                   iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension                    Jeffrey E. Duven,
                                                comment described above.                                  b. In addition, peak Fz must be below
                                                                                                                                                              Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
                                                                                                        937 lb in tension and 899 lb in                       Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                      compression.
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                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2015–24727 Filed 9–29–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                    c. Rotation of the head about its
                                                                                                        vertical axis, relative to the torso, is              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                and recordkeeping requirements.
                                                                                                        limited to 105 degrees in either
                                                  The authority citation for these                      direction from forward-facing.
                                                special conditions is as follows:                         d. The neck must not impact any
                                                  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,            surface that would produce
                                                44702, 44704.                                           concentrated loading on the neck.


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:31:38
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:31:38
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; request for comments.
DatesThe effective date of these special conditions is September 30, 2015. We must receive your comments by November 16, 2015.
ContactJohn Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2785; facsimile 425-227-1149.
FR Citation80 FR 58597 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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