81 FR 30164 - Special Conditions: Cessna Aircraft Company, Models 208 and 208B, Caravan Airplanes; As Modified by Peregrine; Installation of Rechargeable Lithium Battery

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 94 (May 16, 2016)

Page Range		30164-30166
FR Document		2016-11502

These special conditions are issued for the Cessna Aircraft Company, Models 208 and 208B Caravan airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Peregrine, will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the use of a replacement option of a lithium battery instead of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and lead-acid rechargeable batteries. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 94 (Monday, May 16, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30164-30166]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11502]

[[Page 30164]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6567; Special Conditions No. 23-274-SC]

Special Conditions: Cessna Aircraft Company, Models 208 and 208B,
Caravan Airplanes; As Modified by Peregrine; Installation of
Rechargeable Lithium Battery

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Cessna Aircraft
Company, Models 208 and 208B Caravan airplanes. This airplane, as
modified by Peregrine, will have a novel or unusual design feature
associated with the use of a replacement option of a lithium battery
instead of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and lead-acid rechargeable batteries.
The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special
conditions contain the additional safety standards that the
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is May 16, 2016.
We must receive your comments by June 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-6567
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 of Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without
change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information
the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web
site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments
received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual
sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association,
business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can
be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Hirt, Federal Aviation
Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, ACE-114, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
telephone (816) 329-4108, facsimile (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The FAA has determined, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)
and 553(d)(3), that notice and opportunity for prior public comment
hereon are unnecessary because the substance of this special condition
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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special condition number Company/airplane model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23-269-SC \1\.......................... Honda Aircraft Company Model HA-
420.
23-236-SC \2\.......................... Cessna Aircraft Company Model
525C (CJ4).
23-249-SC \3\.......................... Cessna Aircraft Company Model
525 Citation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/673E1A183F208FF186257EC90042DD79?OpenDocument&Highlight=lithium%20ion%20battery%20installation.
\2\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/83608DAA4B3E5D7A8625761D004EDE7B?OpenDocument&Highlight=lithium%20ion%20battery%20installation.
\3\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/BBFDE3920E2AFB1D862577700046E311?OpenDocument&Highlight=lithium%20ion%20battery%20installation.

Comments Invited

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

Background

On March 25, 2015, Peregrine applied for a supplemental type
certificate (STC) to install a rechargeable lithium battery on the
Cessna Models 208 and 208B Caravan airplanes. Both the 208 and 208B are
normal category airplanes, powered by a single-turbine engine that
drives an aircraft propeller, with passenger seating up to eleven (11)
and a maximum takeoff weight of 8,000 and 8,750 pounds respectively.
The current regulatory requirements for part 23 airplanes do not
contain adequate requirements for the application of rechargeable
lithium batteries in airborne applications. This type of battery
possesses certain failure and operational characteristics with
maintenance requirements that differ significantly from that of the Ni-
Cd and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved in other
normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes. Therefore,
the FAA is proposing this special condition to address (1) all
characteristics of the rechargeable lithium batteries and their
installation that could affect safe operation of the modified 208 and
208B airplanes, and (2) appropriate Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICAW) that include maintenance requirements to ensure
the availability of electrical power from the batteries when needed.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
21.101, Peregrine must show that the 208 and 208B airplanes, as
changed, continue to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations
incorporated by reference in Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A37CE, or
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
change.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the 208 and 208B airplanes because of
a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.

[[Page 30165]]

In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the 208 and 208B airplanes 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 Sec. 11.19, under
Sec. 11.38 and they become part of the type certification basis under
Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the models for which
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for an STC 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.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes will incorporate the
following novel or unusual design features:
The installation of a rechargeable lithium battery as a main or
engine start aircraft battery.

Discussion

The applicable part 23 airworthiness regulations governing the
installation of batteries in general aviation airplanes, including
Sec. 23.1353, were derived from Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 3 as part
of the recodification that established 14 CFR part 23. The battery
requirements, which are identified in Sec. 23.1353, were a rewording
of the CAR requirements that did not add any substantive technical
requirements. An increase in incidents involving battery fires and
failures that accompanied the increased use of Ni-Cd batteries in
aircraft resulted in rulemaking activities on the battery requirements
for transport category airplanes. These regulations were incorporated
into Sec. 23.1353(f) and (g), which apply only to Ni-Cd battery
installations.
The introduction of lithium batteries into aircraft raises some
concern about associated battery or cell monitoring systems and the
impact to the electrical system when monitoring components fail.
Associated battery or cell monitoring systems (e.g., temperature, state
of charge, etc.) should be evaluated with respect the expected extremes
in the aircraft operating environment.
Lithium batteries typically have different electrical impedance
characteristics than Ni-Cd or lead-acid batteries. Peregrine needs to
evaluate other components of the aircraft electrical system with
respect to these characteristics.
Presently, there is limited experience with use of rechargeable
lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium battery systems in
applications involving commercial aviation. However, other users of
this technology, ranging from personal computers, wireless telephone
manufacturers to the electric vehicle industry, have noted safety
problems with rechargeable lithium batteries. These problems include
overcharging, over-discharging, flammability of cell components, cell
internal defects, and during exposure to extreme temperatures that are
described in the following paragraphs.
1. Overcharging: In general, rechargeable lithium batteries are
significantly more susceptible to internal failures that can result in
self-sustaining increases in temperature and pressure (e.g., thermal
runaway) than their Ni-Cd or lead-acid counterparts. This is especially
true for overcharging which causes heating and destabilization of the
components of the cell, leading to the formation (by plating) of highly
unstable metallic lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite, resulting
in a self-sustaining fire or explosion. Finally, the severity of
thermal runaway due to overcharging increases with increasing battery
capacity due to the higher amount of electrolyte in large batteries.
2. Over-discharging: Discharge of some types of rechargeable
lithium battery cells beyond the manufacturer's recommended
specification can cause corrosion of the electrodes of the cell,
resulting in loss of battery capacity that cannot be reversed by
recharging. This loss of capacity may not be detected by the simple
voltage measurements commonly available to flight crews as a means of
checking battery status--a problem shared with Ni-Cd batteries. In
addition, over-discharging has the potential to lead to an unsafe
condition (creation of dendrites that could result in internal short
circuit during the recharging cycle).
3. Flammability of Cell Components: Unlike Ni-Cd and lead-acid
batteries, some types of rechargeable lithium batteries use liquid
electrolytes that are flammable. The electrolyte can serve as a source
of fuel for an external fire, if there is a breach of the battery
container.
4. Cell Internal Defects: The rechargeable lithium batteries and
rechargeable battery systems have a history of undetected cell internal
defects. These defects may or may not be detected during normal
operational evaluation, test and validation. This may lead to an unsafe
condition during in service operation.
5. Extreme Temperatures: Exposure to an extreme temperature
environment has the potential to create major hazards. Care must be
taken to ensure that the lithium battery remains within the
manufacturer's recommended specification.
These problems experienced by users of lithium batteries raise
concern about the use of lithium batteries in aviation. The intent of
the proposed special condition is to establish appropriate
airworthiness standards for lithium battery installations in the 208
and 208B airplanes and to ensure, as required by Sec. Sec. 23.1309 and
23.601, that these battery installations are not hazardous or
unreliable.

Applicability

The special conditions are applicable to the 208 and 208B
airplanes. Should Peregrine apply at a later date for an STC to modify
any other model included on Type Certificate No. A37CE to incorporate
the same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would
apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on the 208 and 208B 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 subject contained herein. Therefore, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment hereon are unnecessary and the FAA finds good
cause, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), making
these special conditions effective upon issuance. 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 23

Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

Citation

0
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

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

[[Page 30166]]

The Special Conditions

0
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 Cessna Aircraft Company, 208 and 208B
Caravan airplanes modified by Peregrine.

1. Installation of Lithium Battery

The FAA states in this Notice that the following special conditions
be applied to lithium battery installations on the 208 and 208B
airplanes in lieu of the requirements Sec. 23.1353(a)(b)(c)(d)(e),
amendment 49.
Lithium battery installations on the 208 and 208B airplanes must be
designed and installed as follows:
a. Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during
any probable charging or discharging condition, or during any failure
of the charging or battery monitoring system not shown to be extremely
remote. The lithium battery installation must be designed to preclude
explosion or fire in the event of those failures.
b. Lithium batteries must be designed to preclude the occurrence of
self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
c. No explosive or toxic gasses emitted by any lithium battery in
normal operation or as the result of any failure of the battery
charging or monitoring system, or battery installation not shown to be
extremely remote, may accumulate in hazardous quantities within the
airplane.
d. Lithium batteries that contain flammable fluids must comply with
the flammable fluid fire protection requirements of 14 CFR 23.863(a)
through (d).
e. No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any lithium
battery may damage airplane structure or essential equipment.
f. Each lithium battery installation must have provisions to
prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential systems that may
be caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery can generate during
a short circuit of the battery or of its individual cells.
g. Lithium battery installations must have--
(1) A system to control the charging rate of the battery
automatically to prevent battery overheating or overcharging, or
(2) A battery temperature sensing and over-temperature warning
system with a means for automatically disconnecting the battery from
its charging source in the event of an over-temperature condition or,
(3) A battery failure sensing and warning system with a means for
automatically disconnecting the battery from its charging source in the
event of battery failure.
h. Any lithium battery installation functionally required for safe
operation of the airplane, must incorporate a monitoring and warning
feature that will provide an indication to the appropriate flight
crewmembers, whenever the capacity and state of charge of the batteries
have fallen below levels considered acceptable for dispatch of the
airplane.
i. The ICAW must contain recommended manufacturer's maintenance and
inspection requirements to ensure that batteries, including single
cells, meet a functionally safe level essential to the aircraft's
continued airworthiness.
(1) The ICAW must contain operating instructions and equipment
limitations in an installation maintenance manual.
(2) The ICAW must contain installation procedures and limitations
in a maintenance manual, sufficient to ensure that cells or batteries,
when installed according to the installation procedures, still meet
safety functional levels essential to the aircraft's continued
airworthiness. The limitations must identify any unique aspects of the
installation.
(3) The ICAW must contain corrective maintenance procedures to
check battery capacity at manufacturer's recommended inspection
intervals.
(4) The ICAW must contain scheduled servicing information to
replace batteries at manufacturer's recommended replacement time.
(5) The ICAW must contain maintenance and inspection requirements
how to check visually for battery and charger degradation.
j. Batteries in a rotating stock (spares) that have degraded charge
retention capability or other damage due to prolonged storage must be
checked at manufacturer's recommended inspection intervals.
k. If the lithium battery application contains software and/or
complex hardware, in accordance with AC 20-115 \1\ and AC 20-152,\2\
they should be developed to the standards of DO-178 for software and
DO-254 for complex hardware.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/E35FBC0060E2159186257BBE00719FB3?OpenDocument&Highlight=ac%2020-115b.
\2\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/6D4AE0BF1BDE3579862570360055D119?OpenDocument&Highlight=ac%2020-152.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance with the requirements of this Special Condition must be
shown by test or analysis, with the concurrence of the Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on May 9, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11502 Filed 5-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 94 / Monday, May 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 30165

In addition to the applicable batteries and rechargeable lithium has the potential to create major
airworthiness regulations and special battery systems in applications hazards. Care must be taken to ensure
conditions, the 208 and 208B airplanes involving commercial aviation. that the lithium battery remains within
must comply with the fuel vent and However, other users of this technology, the manufacturer’s recommended
exhaust emission requirements of 14 ranging from personal computers, specification.
CFR part 34 and the noise certification wireless telephone manufacturers to the These problems experienced by users
requirements of 14 CFR part 36. electric vehicle industry, have noted of lithium batteries raise concern about
The FAA issues special conditions, as safety problems with rechargeable the use of lithium batteries in aviation.
defined in § 11.19, under § 11.38 and lithium batteries. These problems The intent of the proposed special
they become part of the type include overcharging, over-discharging, condition is to establish appropriate
certification basis under § 21.101. flammability of cell components, cell airworthiness standards for lithium
Special conditions are initially internal defects, and during exposure to battery installations in the 208 and 208B
applicable to the models for which they extreme temperatures that are described airplanes and to ensure, as required by
are issued. Should the applicant apply in the following paragraphs. §§ 23.1309 and 23.601, that these battery
for an STC to modify any other model 1. Overcharging: In general, installations are not hazardous or
included on the same type certificate to rechargeable lithium batteries are unreliable.
incorporate the same novel or unusual significantly more susceptible to
design feature, these special conditions internal failures that can result in self- Applicability
would also apply to the other model sustaining increases in temperature and
pressure (e.g., thermal runaway) than The special conditions are applicable
under § 21.101.
their Ni-Cd or lead-acid counterparts. to the 208 and 208B airplanes. Should
Novel or Unusual Design Features This is especially true for overcharging Peregrine apply at a later date for an
The Cessna Models 208 and 208B which causes heating and STC to modify any other model
airplanes will incorporate the following destabilization of the components of the included on Type Certificate No. A37CE
novel or unusual design features: cell, leading to the formation (by to incorporate the same novel or
The installation of a rechargeable plating) of highly unstable metallic unusual design feature, the special
lithium battery as a main or engine start lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite, conditions would apply to that model as
aircraft battery. resulting in a self-sustaining fire or well.
Discussion explosion. Finally, the severity of Conclusion
thermal runaway due to overcharging
The applicable part 23 airworthiness increases with increasing battery This action affects only certain novel
regulations governing the installation of capacity due to the higher amount of or unusual design features on the 208
batteries in general aviation airplanes, electrolyte in large batteries. and 208B airplanes. It is not a rule of
including § 23.1353, were derived from 2. Over-discharging: Discharge of general applicability and affects only
Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 3 as part of some types of rechargeable lithium the applicant who applied to the FAA
the recodification that established 14 battery cells beyond the manufacturer’s for approval of these features on the
CFR part 23. The battery requirements, recommended specification can cause airplane.
which are identified in § 23.1353, were corrosion of the electrodes of the cell, The substance of these special
a rewording of the CAR requirements resulting in loss of battery capacity that conditions has been subjected to the
that did not add any substantive cannot be reversed by recharging. This notice and comment period in several
technical requirements. An increase in loss of capacity may not be detected by prior instances and has been derived
incidents involving battery fires and the simple voltage measurements without substantive change from those
failures that accompanied the increased commonly available to flight crews as a previously issued. It is unlikely that
use of Ni-Cd batteries in aircraft resulted means of checking battery status—a prior public comment would result in a
in rulemaking activities on the battery problem shared with Ni-Cd batteries. In significant change from the subject
requirements for transport category addition, over-discharging has the contained herein. Therefore, notice and
airplanes. These regulations were potential to lead to an unsafe condition opportunity for prior public comment
incorporated into § 23.1353(f) and (g), (creation of dendrites that could result hereon are unnecessary and the FAA
which apply only to Ni-Cd battery in internal short circuit during the finds good cause, in accordance with 5
installations. recharging cycle). U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3),
The introduction of lithium batteries 3. Flammability of Cell Components: making these special conditions
into aircraft raises some concern about Unlike Ni-Cd and lead-acid batteries, effective upon issuance. The FAA is
associated battery or cell monitoring some types of rechargeable lithium requesting comments to allow interested
systems and the impact to the electrical batteries use liquid electrolytes that are persons to submit views that may not
system when monitoring components flammable. The electrolyte can serve as have been submitted in response to the
fail. Associated battery or cell a source of fuel for an external fire, if prior opportunities for comment
monitoring systems (e.g., temperature, there is a breach of the battery described above.
state of charge, etc.) should be evaluated container.
with respect the expected extremes in 4. Cell Internal Defects: The List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
the aircraft operating environment. rechargeable lithium batteries and
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
Lithium batteries typically have rechargeable battery systems have a
symbols.
different electrical impedance history of undetected cell internal
characteristics than Ni-Cd or lead-acid defects. These defects may or may not Citation
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES

batteries. Peregrine needs to evaluate be detected during normal operational
other components of the aircraft evaluation, test and validation. This ■ The authority citation for these
electrical system with respect to these may lead to an unsafe condition during special conditions is as follows:
characteristics. in service operation. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and
Presently, there is limited experience 5. Extreme Temperatures: Exposure to 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.101; and 14 CFR
with use of rechargeable lithium an extreme temperature environment 11.38 and 11.19.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:36 May 13, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MYR1.SGM 16MYR1

30166 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 94 / Monday, May 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

The Special Conditions (3) A battery failure sensing and by test or analysis, with the concurrence
■ Accordingly, pursuant to the authority warning system with a means for of the Wichita Aircraft Certification
delegated to me by the Administrator, automatically disconnecting the battery Office.
the following special conditions are from its charging source in the event of Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on May 9,
issued as part of the type certification battery failure. 2016.
basis for Cessna Aircraft Company, 208 h. Any lithium battery installation Pat Mullen,
and 208B Caravan airplanes modified by functionally required for safe operation
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Peregrine. of the airplane, must incorporate a Aircraft Certification Service.
monitoring and warning feature that
1. Installation of Lithium Battery [FR Doc. 2016–11502 Filed 5–13–16; 8:45 am]
will provide an indication to the
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
The FAA states in this Notice that the appropriate flight crewmembers,
following special conditions be applied whenever the capacity and state of
to lithium battery installations on the charge of the batteries have fallen below
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
208 and 208B airplanes in lieu of the levels considered acceptable for
requirements § 23.1353(a)(b)(c)(d)(e), dispatch of the airplane. Federal Aviation Administration
amendment 49. i. The ICAW must contain
Lithium battery installations on the recommended manufacturer’s 14 CFR Part 39
208 and 208B airplanes must be maintenance and inspection
designed and installed as follows: requirements to ensure that batteries, [Docket No. FAA–2015–2462; Directorate
a. Safe cell temperatures and including single cells, meet a Identifier 2014–NM–224–AD; Amendment
functionally safe level essential to the 39–18515; AD 2016–10–04]
pressures must be maintained during
any probable charging or discharging aircraft’s continued airworthiness. RIN 2120–AA64
condition, or during any failure of the (1) The ICAW must contain operating
charging or battery monitoring system instructions and equipment limitations Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
not shown to be extremely remote. The in an installation maintenance manual. Company Airplanes
lithium battery installation must be (2) The ICAW must contain
installation procedures and limitations AGENCY: Federal Aviation
designed to preclude explosion or fire in Administration (FAA), DOT.
the event of those failures. in a maintenance manual, sufficient to
ensure that cells or batteries, when ACTION: Final rule.
b. Lithium batteries must be designed
to preclude the occurrence of self- installed according to the installation
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
sustaining, uncontrolled increases in procedures, still meet safety functional
levels essential to the aircraft’s airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
temperature or pressure. The Boeing Company Model 737–100,
c. No explosive or toxic gasses continued airworthiness. The
limitations must identify any unique –200, –200C, –300, –400, and –500
emitted by any lithium battery in series airplanes. This AD was prompted
normal operation or as the result of any aspects of the installation.
(3) The ICAW must contain corrective by reports of cracked antenna support
failure of the battery charging or channels, skin cracking underneath the
monitoring system, or battery maintenance procedures to check
battery capacity at manufacturer’s number 2 very high frequency (VHF)
installation not shown to be extremely antenna, and cracking in the frames
remote, may accumulate in hazardous recommended inspection intervals.
(4) The ICAW must contain scheduled attached to the internal support
quantities within the airplane. structure. This AD requires repetitive
d. Lithium batteries that contain servicing information to replace
batteries at manufacturer’s inspections to determine the condition
flammable fluids must comply with the of the skin and the internal support
flammable fluid fire protection recommended replacement time.
(5) The ICAW must contain structure, and follow-on actions
requirements of 14 CFR 23.863(a) including corrective action as necessary.
maintenance and inspection
through (d). We are issuing this AD to detect and
requirements how to check visually for
e. No corrosive fluids or gases that correct skin cracking of the fuselage.
battery and charger degradation.
may escape from any lithium battery j. Batteries in a rotating stock (spares) Such cracking could result in separation
may damage airplane structure or that have degraded charge retention of the number 2 VHF antenna from the
essential equipment. capability or other damage due to airplane and rapid depressurization of
f. Each lithium battery installation
prolonged storage must be checked at the cabin.
must have provisions to prevent any
manufacturer’s recommended DATES: This AD is effective June 20,
hazardous effect on structure or
inspection intervals. 2016.
essential systems that may be caused by k. If the lithium battery application
the maximum amount of heat the The Director of the Federal Register
contains software and/or complex approved the incorporation by reference
battery can generate during a short hardware, in accordance with AC 20–
circuit of the battery or of its individual of a certain publication listed in this AD
115 1 and AC 20–152,2 they should be as of June 20, 2016.
cells. developed to the standards of DO–178
g. Lithium battery installations must ADDRESSES: For service information
for software and DO–254 for complex identified in this final rule, contact
have— hardware.
(1) A system to control the charging Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
Compliance with the requirements of
rate of the battery automatically to Attention: Data & Services Management,
this Special Condition must be shown
prevent battery overheating or P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA
overcharging, or 98124–2207; telephone 206–544–5000,
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES

1 http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_
(2) A battery temperature sensing and Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/ extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet
over-temperature warning system with a E35FBC0060E2159186257BBE00719FB3?Open https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
means for automatically disconnecting Document&Highlight=ac%2020-115b. may view this referenced service
2 http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_
the battery from its charging source in Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/
information at the FAA, Transport
the event of an over-temperature 6D4AE0BF1BDE3579862570360055D119?Open Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue
condition or, Document&Highlight=ac%2020-152. SW., Renton, WA. For information on

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:36 May 13, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MYR1.SGM 16MYR1

Document Created: 2016-05-14 01:17:26
Document Modified: 2016-05-14 01:17:26

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Final special conditions; request for comments.
Dates		The effective date of these special conditions is May 16, 2016. We must receive your comments by June 15, 2016.
Contact		Ruth Hirt, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, ACE-114, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-4108, facsimile (816) 329-4090.
FR Citation		81 FR 30164
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

81 FR 30164 - Special Conditions: Cessna Aircraft Company, Models 208 and 208B, Caravan Airplanes; As Modified by Peregrine; Installation of Rechargeable Lithium Battery

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 94 (May 16, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration