81_FR_14020 81 FR 13969 - Special Conditions: JAMCO America, Inc., Boeing Model 777-300ER, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Inflatable Restraints

81 FR 13969 - Special Conditions: JAMCO America, Inc., Boeing Model 777-300ER, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With Inflatable Restraints

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 51 (March 16, 2016)

Page Range13969-13971
FR Document2016-05995

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 300ER airplane. This airplane, as modified by JAMCO America, Inc. (JAMCO), will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-facing, oblique seats equipped with inflatable restraints. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for occupants of seats installed at an angle of greater than 18 degrees, but substantially less than 90 degrees, to the centerline of the airplane, nor for airbag devices. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13969-13971]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05995]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8298; Special Conditions No. 25-611-SC]


Special Conditions: JAMCO America, Inc., Boeing Model 777-300ER, 
Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) 
Seats With Inflatable Restraints

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special condition; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777-
300ER airplane. This airplane, as modified by JAMCO America, Inc. 
(JAMCO), will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with 
side-facing, oblique seats equipped with inflatable restraints. The 
applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for occupants of seats installed at an 
angle of greater than 18 degrees, but substantially less than 90 
degrees, to the centerline of the airplane, nor for airbag devices. 
These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that 
the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: This action is effective on March 16, 2016. We must receive your 
comments by May 2, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-8298 
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 425-227-1320.

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

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data.
    We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for 
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On April 15, 2015, through FAA project no. JAST1977-0, JAMCO 
applied for a supplemental type certificate to allow the installation 
of oblique passenger seats, installed at a 43-inch pitch and at an 
angle of 30 degrees to the vertical plane of the

[[Page 13970]]

airplane longitudinal centerline, and to include inflatable lap belts, 
in Boeing Model 777-300ER airplanes. The Boeing Model 777-300ER 
airplane is a wide-body, swept-wing, conventional-tail, twin-engine, 
turbofan-powered transport airplane, with seating capacity for 550 
passengers.
    JAMCO proposes the installation of oblique (side-facing) B/E 
Aerospace Super Diamond business-class seats. These seats will include 
airbag devices for occupant restraint and injury protection.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, JAMCO America, Inc., must 
show that the Model 777-300ER airplane, as changed, continues to meet 
the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference 
in type certificate no. T00001SE or the applicable regulations in 
effect on the date of application for the change. 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:
    Sections 25.562 and 25.785; and special conditions no. 25-295-SC 
for single-occupant, side-facing seats.
    In addition, the certification basis includes certain special 
conditions, exemptions, or later amended sections of the applicable 
part that are not relevant to these special conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Boeing Model 777-300ER airplane 
because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are 
prescribed under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the 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 777-300ER airplane must comply with the 
fuel-vent and exhaust-emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the 
noise-certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Boeing Model 777-300ER airplane, as modified by JAMCO will 
incorporate the following novel or unusual design features:
    Installation of B/E Aerospace Super Diamond business-class seats 
manufactured by B/E Aerospace, to be installed at an angle of 30 
degrees to the airplane centerline. These seats will include airbag 
devices for occupant restraint and injury protection. The applicable 
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 
standards for occupants of seats installed in the proposed 
configuration.
    The seating configuration JAMCO proposes is novel and unusual due 
to the seat installation at 30 degrees to the airplane centerline, the 
airbag-system installation, and the seat/occupant interface with the 
surrounding furniture that introduces occupant alignment and loading 
concerns.
    Ongoing research is progressing to establish acceptable occupant-
injury 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 
that is positioned at more than an 18-degree angle to the vertical 
plane containing the airplane centerline must be protected from head 
injury by a safety belt and an energy-absorbing rest that supports the 
arms, shoulders, head, and spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder 
harness that prevents the head from contacting injurious objects. The 
FAA concluded that a maximum 18-degree angle would provide an adequate 
level of safety based on tests that were performed at the time, and 
thus adopted that standard.
    Amendment 25-64, dated June 16, 1988, revised the emergency-landing 
conditions that must be considered in the design of the airplane. It 
revised the static-load conditions in Sec.  25.561 and added a new 
Sec.  25.562, requiring dynamic testing for all seats approved for 
occupancy during takeoff and landing. The intent was to provide an 
improved level of safety for occupants on transport-category airplanes. 
Because most seating on transport-category airplanes is forward-facing, 
the pass/fail criteria developed in Amendment 25-64 focused primarily 
on forward-facing seats. Therefore, the testing specified in the rule 
did not provide a complete measure of occupant injury in seats that are 
not forward-facing; although Sec.  25.785 does require occupants of all 
seats that are occupied during taxi, takeoff, and landing not suffer 
serious injury as a result of the inertia forces specified in 
Sec. Sec.  25.561 and 25.562.
    To address recent research findings and accommodate commercial 
demand, the FAA developed a methodology to address all fully side-
facing seats (i.e., seats oriented in the airplane with the occupant 
facing 90 degrees to the direction of airplane travel) and has 
documented those requirements in a set of proposed new special 
conditions. The FAA issued policy statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1 on November 
12, 2012, titled, ``Technical Criteria for Approving Side-Facing 
Seats,'' which conveys the injury criteria to be used in the special 
conditions. Some of those criteria are applicable to oblique seats but 
others are not because the motion of an occupant in an oblique seat is 
different from the motion of an occupant in a fully side-facing seat 
during emergency landing conditions.
    For shallower installation angles, the FAA has granted equivalent 
level of safety (ELOS) findings for oblique seat installations on the 
premise that an occupant's kinematics in an oblique seat during a 
forward impact would result in the body aligning with the impact 
direction. We predicted that the occupant response would be similar to 
an occupant of a forward-facing seat, and would produce a level of 
safety equivalent to that of a forward-facing seat. These ELOS findings 
were subject to many conditions that reflected the injury-evaluation 
criteria and mitigation strategies available at the time of

[[Page 13971]]

issuance of the ELOS. However, review of dynamic test results for many 
of these oblique seat installations raised concerns that the premise 
was not correct. Potential injury mechanisms exist that are unique to 
oblique seats and are not mitigated by the ELOS self-alignment approach 
even if the occupant appears to respond similarly to a forward-facing 
seat.
    These special conditions contain the additional safety standards 
that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of 
safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness 
standards.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Boeing Model 777-300ER airplane. These special conditions can be 
applied to oblique seats installed at an angle greater than 18 degrees 
but less than 46 degrees to the vertical plane containing the airplane 
centerline.
    Should JAMCO 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 that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model series of airplanes. 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, which is 
imminent, 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 777-300ER airplane as 
modified by JAMCO.
    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 upper-neck Fz must be below 937 lb 
of tension and 899 lb of 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: JAMCO 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 March 10, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05995 Filed 3-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                  13969

                                                PART 11—GENERAL RULEMAKING                                         Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101,           § 11.201 Office of Management and Budget
                                                PROCEDURES                                                       40103, 40105, 40109, 40113, 44110, 44502,               (OMB) control numbers assigned under the
                                                                                                                 44701–44702, 44711, and 46102.                          Paperwork Reduction Act.
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 11                          ■ 2. In § 11.201 amend the table in                     *       *   *         *   *
                                                continues to read as follows:                                    paragraph (b) by revising the entries for                   (b) * * *
                                                                                                                 Part 121 and Part 135 to read as follows:

                                                    14 CFR part or section identified                                                                Current OMB control No.
                                                            and described


                                                         *                                 *                       *                 *                 *                  *                 *
                                                Part 121 ...........................................   2120–0008, 2120–0028, 2120–0535, 2120–0571, 2120–0600, 2120–0606, 2120–0614, 2120–0616, 2120–
                                                                                                         0631, 2120–0651, 2120–0653, 2120–0691, 2120–0702, 2120–0739, 2120–0760, 2120–0766.

                                                         *                                 *                       *                 *                 *                 *                 *
                                                Part 135 ...........................................   2120–0003, 2120–0028, 2120–0039, 2120–0535, 2120–0571, 2120–0600, 2120–0606, 2120–0614, 2120–
                                                                                                         0616, 2120–0620, 2120–0631, 2120–0653, 2120–0766.

                                                             *                             *                         *                      *                       *                      *              *



                                                  Issued in Washington, DC under the                             DATES:  This action is effective on March               West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f) and                       16, 2016. We must receive your                          New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                44701(a) on March 8, 2016.                                       comments by May 2, 2016.                                DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                Lirio Liu,                                                       ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                     through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                Director, Office of Rulemaking.                                  by docket number FAA–2015–8298                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–05862 Filed 3–15–16; 8:45 am]                      using any of the following methods:                     Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety,
                                                BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                             • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                  ANM–115, Transport Airplane
                                                                                                                 http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                  Directorate, Aircraft Certification
                                                                                                                 the online instructions for sending your                Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                     comments electronically.                                Renton, Washington 98057–3356;
                                                                                                                   • Mail: Send comments to Docket                       telephone 425–227–2785; facsimile
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                                  Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                    425–227–1320.
                                                                                                                 Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
                                                14 CFR Part 25                                                   Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                          has determined that notice of, and
                                                [Docket No. FAA–2015–8298; Special                               Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                   opportunity for prior public comment
                                                Conditions No. 25–611–SC]                                        20590–0001.                                             on, these special conditions are
                                                                                                                   • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                      impracticable because these procedures
                                                Special Conditions: JAMCO America,                               comments to Docket Operations in                        would significantly delay issuance of
                                                Inc., Boeing Model 777–300ER,                                    Room W12–140 of the West Building                       the design approval and thus delivery of
                                                Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-                            Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                         the affected airplane.
                                                Occupant Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats                             Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9                      The FAA therefore finds that good
                                                With Inflatable Restraints                                       a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                         cause exists for making these special
                                                                                                                 Friday, except Federal holidays.                        conditions effective upon publication in
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                                          • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                         the Federal Register.
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                                       Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                                ACTION: Final special condition; request                            Privacy: The FAA will post all                       Comments Invited
                                                for comments.                                                    comments it receives, without change,                     We invite interested people to take
                                                                                                                 to http://www.regulations.gov/,                         part in this rulemaking by sending
                                                SUMMARY:    These special conditions are                         including any personal information the                  written comments, data, or views. The
                                                issued for the Boeing Model 777–300ER                            commenter provides. Using the search                    most helpful comments reference a
                                                airplane. This airplane, as modified by                          function of the docket Web site, anyone                 specific portion of the special
                                                JAMCO America, Inc. (JAMCO), will                                can find and read the electronic form of                conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                have a novel or unusual design feature                           all comments received into any FAA                      recommended change, and include
                                                associated with side-facing, oblique                             docket, including the name of the                       supporting data.
                                                seats equipped with inflatable restraints.                       individual sending the comment (or                        We will consider all comments we
                                                The applicable airworthiness                                     signing the comment for an association,                 receive by the closing date for
                                                regulations do not contain adequate or                           business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                     comments. We may change these special
                                                appropriate safety standards for                                 complete Privacy Act Statement can                      conditions based on the comments we
                                                occupants of seats installed at an angle                         be found in the Federal Register                        receive.
                                                of greater than 18 degrees, but                                  published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
                                                substantially less than 90 degrees, to the                       19477–19478), as well as at http://                     Background
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                centerline of the airplane, nor for airbag                       DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.                                     On April 15, 2015, through FAA
                                                devices. These special conditions                                   Docket: Background documents or                      project no. JAST1977–0, JAMCO
                                                contain the additional safety standards                          comments received may be read at                        applied for a supplemental type
                                                that the Administrator considers                                 http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.                certificate to allow the installation of
                                                necessary to establish a level of safety                         Follow the online instructions for                      oblique passenger seats, installed at a
                                                equivalent to that established by the                            accessing the docket or go to Docket                    43-inch pitch and at an angle of 30
                                                existing airworthiness standards.                                Operations in Room W12–140 of the                       degrees to the vertical plane of the


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014        16:07 Mar 15, 2016       Jkt 238001   PO 00000     Frm 00003   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\16MRR1.SGM   16MRR1


                                                13970            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                airplane longitudinal centerline, and to                Novel or Unusual Design Features                      spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder
                                                include inflatable lap belts, in Boeing                    The Boeing Model 777–300ER                         harness that prevents the head from
                                                Model 777–300ER airplanes. The Boeing                   airplane, as modified by JAMCO will                   contacting injurious objects. The FAA
                                                Model 777–300ER airplane is a wide-                     incorporate the following novel or                    concluded that a maximum 18-degree
                                                body, swept-wing, conventional-tail,                    unusual design features:                              angle would provide an adequate level
                                                twin-engine, turbofan-powered                              Installation of B/E Aerospace Super                of safety based on tests that were
                                                transport airplane, with seating capacity               Diamond business-class seats                          performed at the time, and thus adopted
                                                for 550 passengers.                                     manufactured by B/E Aerospace, to be                  that standard.
                                                   JAMCO proposes the installation of                                                                            Amendment 25–64, dated June 16,
                                                                                                        installed at an angle of 30 degrees to the
                                                oblique (side-facing) B/E Aerospace                                                                           1988, revised the emergency-landing
                                                                                                        airplane centerline. These seats will
                                                Super Diamond business-class seats.                                                                           conditions that must be considered in
                                                                                                        include airbag devices for occupant
                                                These seats will include airbag devices                                                                       the design of the airplane. It revised the
                                                                                                        restraint and injury protection. The                  static-load conditions in § 25.561 and
                                                for occupant restraint and injury
                                                                                                        applicable airworthiness regulations do               added a new § 25.562, requiring
                                                protection.
                                                                                                        not contain adequate or appropriate                   dynamic testing for all seats approved
                                                Type Certification Basis                                safety standards for occupants of seats               for occupancy during takeoff and
                                                   Under the provisions of 14 CFR                       installed in the proposed configuration.              landing. The intent was to provide an
                                                21.101, JAMCO America, Inc., must                          The seating configuration JAMCO                    improved level of safety for occupants
                                                show that the Model 777–300ER                           proposes is novel and unusual due to                  on transport-category airplanes. Because
                                                airplane, as changed, continues to meet                 the seat installation at 30 degrees to the            most seating on transport-category
                                                the applicable provisions of the                        airplane centerline, the airbag-system                airplanes is forward-facing, the pass/fail
                                                regulations incorporated by reference in                installation, and the seat/occupant                   criteria developed in Amendment 25–64
                                                type certificate no. T00001SE or the                    interface with the surrounding furniture              focused primarily on forward-facing
                                                applicable regulations in effect on the                 that introduces occupant alignment and                seats. Therefore, the testing specified in
                                                date of application for the change. The                 loading concerns.                                     the rule did not provide a complete
                                                regulations listed in the type certificate                 Ongoing research is progressing to                 measure of occupant injury in seats that
                                                are commonly referred to as the                         establish acceptable occupant-injury                  are not forward-facing; although
                                                ‘‘original type certification basis.’’ The              limits. Until those limits become                     § 25.785 does require occupants of all
                                                regulations listed in type certificate no.              available, the FAA proposes a set of                  seats that are occupied during taxi,
                                                T00001SE are as follows:                                interim limits based on the current                   takeoff, and landing not suffer serious
                                                   Sections 25.562 and 25.785; and                      literature available, current National                injury as a result of the inertia forces
                                                special conditions no. 25–295–SC for                    Highway Traffic Safety Administration                 specified in §§ 25.561 and 25.562.
                                                single-occupant, side-facing seats.                     (NHTSA) regulations, and preliminary                     To address recent research findings
                                                   In addition, the certification basis                 test data from the research program.                  and accommodate commercial demand,
                                                includes certain special conditions,                       The existing regulations do not                    the FAA developed a methodology to
                                                exemptions, or later amended sections                   provide adequate or appropriate safety                address all fully side-facing seats (i.e.,
                                                of the applicable part that are not                     standards for occupants of oblique-                   seats oriented in the airplane with the
                                                relevant to these special conditions.                   angled seats with airbag systems. To                  occupant facing 90 degrees to the
                                                   If the Administrator finds that the                  provide a level of safety that is                     direction of airplane travel) and has
                                                applicable airworthiness regulations                    equivalent to that afforded occupants of              documented those requirements in a set
                                                (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                   forward- and aft-facing seats, additional             of proposed new special conditions. The
                                                adequate or appropriate safety standards                airworthiness standards, in the form of               FAA issued policy statement PS–ANM–
                                                for the Boeing Model 777–300ER                          special conditions, are necessary. These              25–03–R1 on November 12, 2012, titled,
                                                airplane because of a novel or unusual                  special conditions supplement part 25                 ‘‘Technical Criteria for Approving Side-
                                                design feature, special conditions are                  and, more specifically, supplement                    Facing Seats,’’ which conveys the injury
                                                prescribed under the provisions of                      §§ 25.562 and 25.785. The requirements                criteria to be used in the special
                                                § 21.16.                                                contained in these special conditions                 conditions. Some of those criteria are
                                                   Special conditions are initially                     consist of both test conditions and                   applicable to oblique seats but others
                                                applicable to the model for which they                  injury pass/fail criteria.                            are not because the motion of an
                                                are issued. Should the applicant apply                                                                        occupant in an oblique seat is different
                                                                                                        Discussion
                                                for a supplemental type certificate to                                                                        from the motion of an occupant in a
                                                modify any other model included on the                     Amendment 25–15 to part 25, dated                  fully side-facing seat during emergency
                                                same type certificate to incorporate the                October 24, 1967, introduced the subject              landing conditions.
                                                same novel or unusual design feature,                   of side-facing seats and a requirement                   For shallower installation angles, the
                                                these special conditions would also                     that each occupant in a side-facing seat              FAA has granted equivalent level of
                                                apply to the other model under § 21.101.                must be protected from head injury by                 safety (ELOS) findings for oblique seat
                                                   In addition to the applicable                        a safety belt and a cushioned rest that               installations on the premise that an
                                                airworthiness regulations and special                   will support the arms, shoulders, head,               occupant’s kinematics in an oblique seat
                                                conditions, the Boeing Model 777–                       and spine.                                            during a forward impact would result in
                                                300ER airplane must comply with the                        Subsequently, Amendment 25–20,                     the body aligning with the impact
                                                fuel-vent and exhaust-emission                          dated April 23, 1969, clarified the                   direction. We predicted that the
                                                requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the                 definition of side-facing seats to require            occupant response would be similar to
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                                                noise-certification requirements of 14                  that each occupant of a seat that is                  an occupant of a forward-facing seat,
                                                CFR part 36.                                            positioned at more than an 18-degree                  and would produce a level of safety
                                                   The FAA issues special conditions, as                angle to the vertical plane containing                equivalent to that of a forward-facing
                                                defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                  the airplane centerline must be                       seat. These ELOS findings were subject
                                                with § 11.38, and they become part of                   protected from head injury by a safety                to many conditions that reflected the
                                                the type certification basis under                      belt and an energy-absorbing rest that                injury-evaluation criteria and mitigation
                                                § 21.101.                                               supports the arms, shoulders, head, and               strategies available at the time of


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                               13971

                                                issuance of the ELOS. However, review                     The authority citation for these                      d. The neck must not impact any
                                                of dynamic test results for many of these               special conditions is as follows:                     surface that would produce
                                                oblique seat installations raised                         Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,          concentrated loading on the neck.
                                                concerns that the premise was not                       44702, 44704.
                                                correct. Potential injury mechanisms                                                                          4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria
                                                exist that are unique to oblique seats                  The Special Conditions
                                                                                                                                                                 a. The shoulders must remain aligned
                                                and are not mitigated by the ELOS self-                   Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                                                                                                                              with the hips throughout the impact
                                                alignment approach even if the                          authority delegated to me by the
                                                                                                                                                              sequence, or support for the upper torso
                                                occupant appears to respond similarly                   Administrator, the following special
                                                                                                        conditions are issued as part of the type             must be provided to prevent forward or
                                                to a forward-facing seat.
                                                                                                        certification basis for the Boeing Model              lateral flailing beyond 45 degrees from
                                                   These special conditions contain the
                                                                                                        777–300ER airplane as modified by                     the vertical during significant spinal
                                                additional safety standards that the
                                                                                                        JAMCO.                                                loading. Alternatively, the lumbar spine
                                                Administrator considers necessary to
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to                 In addition to the requirements of                  tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1200 lb.
                                                that established by the existing                        § 25.562:                                                b. Significant concentrated loading on
                                                airworthiness standards.                                1. Head-Injury Criteria                               the occupant’s spine, in the area
                                                                                                                                                              between the pelvis and shoulders
                                                Applicability                                              Compliance with § 25.562(c)(5) is
                                                                                                                                                              during impact, including rebound, is
                                                                                                        required, except that, if the
                                                  As discussed above, these special                                                                           not acceptable. During this type of
                                                                                                        anthropomorphic test device (ATD) has
                                                conditions are applicable to the Boeing                                                                       contact, the interval for any rearward
                                                                                                        no apparent contact with the seat/
                                                Model 777–300ER airplane. These                                                                               (X-direction) acceleration exceeding 20g
                                                                                                        structure but has contact with an airbag,
                                                special conditions can be applied to                                                                          must be less than 3 milliseconds as
                                                                                                        a head-injury criterion (HIC) unlimited
                                                oblique seats installed at an angle                                                                           measured by the thoracic
                                                                                                        score in excess of 1000 is acceptable,
                                                greater than 18 degrees but less than 46                                                                      instrumentation specified in 49 CFR
                                                                                                        provided the HIC15 score (calculated in
                                                degrees to the vertical plane containing                accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for                   part 572, subpart E, filtered in
                                                the airplane centerline.                                that contact is less than 700.                        accordance with SAE International
                                                  Should JAMCO apply at a later date                                                                          (SAE) J211–1.
                                                for a supplemental type certificate to                  2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact
                                                modify any other model included on                                                                               c. Occupant must not interact with
                                                                                                           If a seat is installed aft of structure
                                                type certificate no. T00001SE to                                                                              the armrest or other seat components in
                                                                                                        (e.g., an interior wall or furnishing) that
                                                incorporate the same novel or unusual                                                                         any manner significantly different than
                                                                                                        does not provide a homogenous contact
                                                design feature, these special conditions                surface for the expected range of                     would be expected for a forward-facing
                                                would apply to that model as well.                      occupants and yaw angles, then                        seat installation.
                                                Conclusion                                              additional analysis and/or test(s) may be                5. Longitudinal test(s), conducted to
                                                                                                        required to demonstrate that the injury               measure the injury criteria above, must
                                                  This action affects only certain novel                criteria are met for the area that an                 be performed with the FAA Hybrid III
                                                or unusual design features on one model                 occupant could contact. For example, if               ATD, as described in SAE 1999–01–
                                                series of airplanes. It is not a rule of                different yaw angles could result in                  1609. The test(s) must be conducted
                                                general applicability and affects only                  different airbag performance, then                    with an undeformed floor, at the most-
                                                the applicant who applied to the FAA                    additional analysis or separate test(s)               critical yaw case(s) for injury, and with
                                                for approval of these features on the                   may be necessary to evaluate                          all lateral structural supports (armrests/
                                                airplane.                                               performance.                                          walls) installed.
                                                  The substance of these special
                                                conditions has been subjected to the                    3. Neck Injury Criteria                                  Note: JAMCO must demonstrate that the
                                                notice and comment period in several                       The seating system must protect the                installation of seats via plinths or pallets
                                                prior instances and has been derived                    occupant from experiencing serious                    meets all applicable requirements.
                                                without substantive change from those                   neck injury. The assessment of neck                   Compliance with the guidance contained in
                                                previously issued. It is unlikely that                  injury must be conducted with the                     FAA Policy Memorandum PS–ANM–100–
                                                prior public comment would result in a                  airbag device activated, unless there is              2000–00123, dated February 2, 2000, titled,
                                                significant change from the substance                   reason to also consider that the neck-                ‘‘Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance
                                                contained herein. Therefore, because a                  injury potential would be higher for                  with Seat Dynamic Testing for Plinths and
                                                                                                        impacts below the airbag-device                       Pallets,’’ is acceptable to the FAA.
                                                delay would significantly affect the
                                                certification of the airplane, which is                 deployment threshold.
                                                imminent, the FAA has determined that                      a. The Nij (calculated in accordance               Inflatable Lap Belt Special Conditions
                                                prior public notice and comment are                     with 49 CFR 571.208) must be below
                                                                                                                                                                If inflatable lap belts are installed on
                                                unnecessary and impracticable, and                      1.0, where Nij = Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij
                                                                                                                                                              single-place side-facing seats, the lap
                                                good cause exists for adopting these                    critical values are:
                                                                                                                                                              belts must meet Special Conditions no.
                                                special conditions upon publication in                  i. Fzc = 1530 lb for tension                          25–187A–SC.
                                                the Federal Register. The FAA is                        ii. Fzc = 1385 lb for compression
                                                requesting comments to allow interested                 iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion                         Issued in Renton, Washington, on March
                                                persons to submit views that may not                    iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension                      10, 2016.
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                                                have been submitted in response to the                    b. In addition, peak upper-neck Fz                  Michael Kaszycki,
                                                prior opportunities for comment                         must be below 937 lb of tension and 899               Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
                                                described above.                                        lb of compression.                                    Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                                                                          c. Rotation of the head about its                   [FR Doc. 2016–05995 Filed 3–15–16; 8:45 am]
                                                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
                                                                                                        vertical axis, relative to the torso, is              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                  Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                  limited to 105 degrees in either
                                                and recordkeeping requirements.                         direction from forward-facing.


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Document Created: 2016-03-15 23:44:25
Document Modified: 2016-03-15 23:44:25
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 condition; request for comments.
DatesThis action is effective on March 16, 2016. We must receive your comments by May 2, 2016.
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 425-227-1320.
FR Citation81 FR 13969 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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