81_FR_50017 81 FR 49871 - Special Conditions: ATR Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A Airplanes; Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels

81 FR 49871 - Special Conditions: ATR Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A Airplanes; Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 146 (July 29, 2016)

Page Range49871-49873
FR Document2016-17846

These special conditions are issued for ATR Model ATR-42-200/- 300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport- category airplanes. This design feature is seats with non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels. 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 146 (Friday, July 29, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49871-49873]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17846]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2016-8246; Special Conditions No. 25-624-SC]


Special Conditions: ATR Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-
72-102/-202/-212/-212A Airplanes; Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, 
Non-Metallic Panels

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for ATR Model ATR-42-200/-
300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes. These airplanes 
will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state 
of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-
category airplanes. This design feature is seats with non-traditional, 
large, non-metallic panels. 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.

[[Page 49872]]


DATES: This action is effective on ATR on July 29, 2016. We must 
receive your comments by September 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-8246 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal 
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all 
comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the 
individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Shelden, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-2785; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval, and thus delivery, of the affected 
airplanes.
    In addition, the substance of these special conditions has been 
subject to the public-comment process in several prior instances with 
no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that good 
cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon 
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 March 2, 2016, ATR applied for a change to type certificate no. 
A53EU for the installation of seats constructed of non-traditional, 
non-metallic materials in the Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500, and ATR-
72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes.
    The Model ATR-42/-72 series airplanes are twin-engine, 
turbopropeller-powered, transport-category airplanes with maximum 
passenger capacity up to 74, depending upon airplane model.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, ATR must show that the Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and 
ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the 
applicable provisions of the regulations listed in type certificate no. 
A53EU, or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of 
application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed 
upon by the FAA.
    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 Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 
and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes because of a novel or unusual 
design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions 
of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or 
unusual design feature, or should any other model already included on 
the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same novel or 
unusual design feature, 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 Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-
212/-212A 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 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 Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A 
airplanes will incorporate the following novel or unusual design 
feature:
    Passenger seats that incorporate non-traditional, large, non-
metallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal frame covered by 
fabric.

Discussion

    In the early 1980s, the FAA conducted extensive research on the 
effects of post-crash flammability in the passenger cabin. As a result 
of this research and service experience, the FAA adopted new standards 
for interior surfaces associated with large surface-area parts. 
Specifically, the rules require measurement of heat release and smoke 
emission (part 25, Appendix F, parts IV and V) for the affected parts. 
Heat release has been shown to have a direct correlation with post- 
crash-fire survival time. Materials that comply with the standards 
(i.e., Sec.  25.853, ``Compartment interiors'' at Amendment 25-61 and 
Amendment 25-66) extend survival time by approximately 2 minutes over 
materials that do not comply.
    At the time these standards were written, the potential application 
of the requirements of seat heat release and smoke emission was 
explored. The seat frame itself was not a concern because it was 
primarily made of aluminum and only small amounts of non-metallic 
materials. Research determined that the overall effect on survivability 
was negligible, whether or not the food trays met the heat-release and 
smoke-emission requirements. The requirements therefore did not address 
seats. The preambles to both the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), 
Notice No. 85-10 (50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985), and the Final Rule at 
Amendment 25-61 (51 FR 26206, July

[[Page 49873]]

21, 1986), specifically note that seats were excluded ``because the 
recently adopted standards for flammability of seat cushions will 
greatly inhibit involvement of the seats.''
    Subsequently, the Final Rule at Amendment 25-83 (60 FR 6615, March 
6, 1995) clarified the definition of minimum panel size: ``It is not 
possible to cite a specific size that will apply in all installations; 
however, as a general rule, components with exposed surface areas of 
one square foot or less may be considered small enough that they do not 
have to meet the new standards. Components with exposed surface areas 
greater than two square feet may be considered large enough that they 
do have to meet the new standards. Those with exposed surface areas 
greater than one square foot, but less than two square feet, must be 
considered in conjunction with the areas of the cabin in which they are 
installed before a determination could be made.''
    In the late 1990s, the FAA issued Policy Memorandum 97-112-39, 
``Guidance for Flammability Testing of Seat/Console Installations,'' 
October 17, 1997 (http://rgl.faa.gov). That memo was issued when it 
became clear that seat designs were evolving to include large, non-
metallic panels with surface areas that would impact survivability 
during a cabin-fire event, comparable to partitions or galleys. The 
memo noted that large-surface-area panels must comply with heat-release 
and smoke-emission requirements, even if they were attached to a seat. 
If the FAA had not issued such policy, seat designs could have been 
viewed as a loophole to the airworthiness standards that would result 
in an unacceptable decrease in survivability during a cabin-fire event.
    In October of 2004, an issue was raised regarding the appropriate 
flammability standards for passenger seats that incorporated non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional 
metal covered by fabric. The FAA Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
and Transport Standards Staff reviewed this design, and determined that 
it represented the kind and quantity of material that should be 
required to pass the heat-release and smoke-emissions requirements. The 
FAA has determined that special conditions would be issued to apply the 
standards defined in 14 CFR 25.853(d) to seats with large, non-metallic 
panels in their design. Traditional seat panels would not be covered by 
the special conditions.
    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 
Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A 
airplanes. Should ATR apply at a later date for a change to the type 
certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or 
unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that 
model as well. These special conditions apply to new seat-certification 
programs. Previously approved seats are not affected by these special 
conditions.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on two model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general 
applicability.
    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 ATR Model ATR-42-200/-300/-320/-500 
and ATR-72-102/-202/-212/-212A airplanes for new seat-certification 
programs.
    1. Compliance with 14 CFR part 25 Appendix F, parts IV and V, 
``Heat release and smoke emission,'' is required for seats that 
incorporate non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that may be 
either a single component or multiple components in a concentrated area 
in their design.
    2. The applicant may designate up to and including 1.5 square feet 
of non-traditional, non-metallic panel material per seat place that 
does not have to comply with special condition 1, above. A triple seat 
assembly may have a total of 4.5 square feet excluded on any portion of 
the assembly (e.g., outboard seat place, 1 sq. ft.; middle, 1 sq. ft.; 
and inboard, 2.5 sq. ft.)
    3. Seats need not meet the test requirements of 14 CFR part 25 
Appendix F, parts IV and V, when installed in compartments that are not 
otherwise required to meet these requirements. Examples include 
airplanes:
    a. With passenger capacities of 19 or fewer;
    b. that do not have smoke-emission and heat-release test 
requirements in their certification basis, and that are not required by 
14 CFR 121.312 to conduct such tests; or
    c. that are exempted from smoke-emission and heat-release testing.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-17846 Filed 7-28-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                               49871

                                                  a change to the type certificate to                      the lower leg flail would not occur. The              system’s activation system prior to each
                                                  include another model incorporating the                  leg-flail airbag system must provide a                flight, or the leg-flail airbag system’s
                                                  same novel or unusual design feature,                    consistent approach to prevention of leg              activation system must reliably operate
                                                  these special conditions would apply to                  flail throughout that range of occupants              between inspection intervals. The FAA
                                                  that model as well.                                      whose lower legs can form a 90-degree                 considers that the loss of the leg-flail
                                                                                                           angle relative to the upper legs when                 airbag system’s deployment function
                                                  Conclusion
                                                                                                           seated upright in the seat. Items that                alone (i.e., independent of the
                                                    This action affects only certain novel                 need to be considered include, but are                conditional event that requires the leg-
                                                  or unusual design features on one model                  not limited to, the range of occupants’               flail airbag system’s deployment) is a
                                                  series of airplanes. It is not a rule of                 popliteal height, the range of occupants’             major-failure condition.
                                                  general applicability.                                   buttock popliteal length, the design of                  12. The airbag inflatable material may
                                                    The substance of these special                         the seat effective height above the floor,            not have an average burn rate of greater
                                                  conditions has been subjected to the                     and the effective depth of the seat-                  than 2.5 inches per minute when tested
                                                  notice and comment period in several                     bottom cushion.                                       using the horizontal flammability test
                                                  prior instances and has been derived                        2. The leg-flail airbag system must                defined in part 25, appendix F, part I,
                                                  without substantive change from those                    provide adequate protection for each                  paragraph (b)(5).
                                                  previously issued. It is unlikely that                   occupant regardless of the number of                     13. The leg-flail airbag system, once
                                                  prior public comment would result in a                   occupants of the seat assembly,                       deployed, must not adversely affect the
                                                  significant change from the substance                    considering that unoccupied seats may                 emergency-lighting system (i.e., block
                                                  contained herein. Therefore, because a                   have an active leg-flail airbag system.               floor-proximity lights to the extent that
                                                  delay would significantly affect the                        3. The leg-flail airbag system must not            the lights no longer meet their intended
                                                  certification of the airplane, the FAA                   be susceptible to inadvertent                         function).
                                                  has determined that prior public notice                  deployment as a result of wear and tear,                Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21,
                                                  and comment are unnecessary and                          or inertial loads resulting from in-flight            2016.
                                                  impracticable, and good cause exists for                 or ground maneuvers (including gusts                  Michael Kaszycki,
                                                  adopting these special conditions upon                   and hard landings), and other operating
                                                  publication in the Federal Register. The                                                                       Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
                                                                                                           and environmental conditions                          Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                  FAA is requesting comments to allow                      (vibrations, moisture, etc.) likely to
                                                  interested persons to submit views that                                                                        [FR Doc. 2016–17845 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                           occur in service.
                                                  may not have been submitted in                              4. Deployment of the leg-flail airbag
                                                                                                                                                                 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

                                                  response to the prior opportunities for                  system must not introduce injury
                                                  comment described above.                                 mechanisms to the seated occupant, or                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                  List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                       result in injuries that could impede
                                                                                                           rapid egress.                                         Federal Aviation Administration
                                                    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                      5. Inadvertent deployment of the leg-
                                                  and recordkeeping requirements.                          flail airbag system, during the most                  14 CFR Part 25
                                                    The authority citation for these                       critical part of the flight, must either
                                                  special conditions is as follows:                                                                              [Docket No. FAA–2016–8246; Special
                                                                                                           meet the requirement of § 25.1309(b), or
                                                                                                                                                                 Conditions No. 25–624–SC]
                                                    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,             not cause a hazard to the airplane or its
                                                  44702, 44704.                                            occupants.                                            Special Conditions: ATR Model ATR–
                                                  The Special Conditions                                      6. The leg-flail airbag system must not            42–200/–300/–320/–500 and ATR–72–
                                                                                                           impede rapid egress of occupants from                 102/–202/–212/–212A Airplanes; Seats
                                                     Accordingly, pursuant to the                          the airplane 10 seconds after airbag
                                                  authority delegated to me by the                                                                               With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-
                                                                                                           deployment.                                           Metallic Panels
                                                  Administrator, the following special                        7. The leg-flail airbag system must be
                                                  conditions are issued as part of the type                protected from lightning and high-                    AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                  certification basis for Embraer Model                    intensity radiated fields (HIRF). The                 Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                  EMB–550 and Model–545 series                             threats to the airplane specified in                  ACTION: Final special conditions; request
                                                  airplanes.                                               existing regulations regarding lightning              for comments.
                                                     In addition to the requirements of                    (§ 25.1316) and HIRF (§ 25.1317) are
                                                  §§ 25.562 and 25.785, and special                        incorporated by reference for the                     SUMMARY:   These special conditions are
                                                  conditions no. 25–495–SC, the                            purpose of measuring lightning and                    issued for ATR Model ATR–42–200/–
                                                  following special conditions are part of                 HIRF protection.                                      300/–320/–500 and ATR–72–102/–202/
                                                  the type certification basis for the                        8. The leg-flail airbag system must                –212/–212A airplanes. These airplanes
                                                  Embraer Model EMB–545 and EMB–550                        function properly after loss of normal                will have a novel or unusual design
                                                  series airplanes with leg-flail airbags                  airplane electrical power, and after a                feature when compared to the state of
                                                  installed on side-facing seats.                          transverse separation of the fuselage at              technology envisioned in the
                                                     1. For seats with a leg-flail airbag                  the most critical location. A separation              airworthiness standards for transport-
                                                  system, the system must deploy and                       at the location of the leg-flail airbag               category airplanes. This design feature
                                                  provide protection under crash                           system does not have to be considered.                is seats with non-traditional, large, non-
                                                  conditions where it is necessary to                         9. The leg-flail airbag system must not            metallic panels. The applicable
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  prevent serious injury. The means of                     release hazardous quantities of gas or                airworthiness regulations do not contain
                                                  protection must take into consideration                  particulate matter into the cabin.                    adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                  a range of stature from a 2-year-old child                  10. The leg-flail airbag system                    for this design feature. These special
                                                  to a 95th-percentile male. At some                       installation must be protected from the               conditions contain the additional safety
                                                  buttock popliteal length and effective                   effects of fire such that no hazard to                standards that the Administrator
                                                  seat-bottom depth, the lower legs will                   occupants will result.                                considers necessary to establish a level
                                                  not be able to form a 90-degree angle                       11. A means must be available to                   of safety equivalent to that established
                                                  relative to the upper leg; at this point,                verify the integrity of the leg-flail airbag          by the existing airworthiness standards.


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:04 Jul 28, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00017   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM   29JYR1


                                                  49872                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  DATES:  This action is effective on ATR                     In addition, the substance of these                model already included on the same
                                                  on July 29, 2016. We must receive your                   special conditions has been subject to                type certificate be modified to
                                                  comments by September 12, 2016.                          the public-comment process in several                 incorporate the same novel or unusual
                                                  ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                      prior instances with no substantive                   design feature, these special conditions
                                                  by docket number FAA–2016–8246                           comments received. The FAA therefore                  would also apply to the other model
                                                  using any of the following methods:                      finds that good cause exists for making               under § 21.101.
                                                     • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                  these special conditions effective upon                 In addition to the applicable
                                                  http://www.regulations.gov/and follow                    publication in the Federal Register.                  airworthiness regulations and special
                                                  the online instructions for sending your                                                                       conditions, the Model ATR–42–200/–
                                                                                                           Comments Invited                                      300/–320/–500 and ATR–72–102/–202/
                                                  comments electronically.
                                                     • Mail: Send comments to Docket                         We invite interested people to take                 –212/–212A airplanes must comply
                                                  Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                     part in this rulemaking by sending                    with the fuel-vent and exhaust-emission
                                                  Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                    written comments, data, or views. The                 requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the
                                                  Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                           most helpful comments reference a                     noise-certification requirements of 14
                                                  Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                    specific portion of the special                       CFR part 36.
                                                  20590–0001.                                              conditions, explain the reason for any                  The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                     • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                      recommended change, and include                       defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
                                                  comments to Docket Operations in                         supporting data.                                      with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                                  Room W12–140 of the West Building                          We will consider all comments we                    the type certification basis under
                                                  Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                          receive by the closing date for                       § 21.101.
                                                  Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9                    comments. We may change these special
                                                                                                                                                                 Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                  a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                          conditions based on the comments we
                                                  Friday, except Federal holidays.                         receive.                                                 The Model ATR–42–200/–300/–320/–
                                                     • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                                                                               500 and ATR–72–102/–202/–212/–212A
                                                                                                           Background                                            airplanes will incorporate the following
                                                  Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                                     Privacy: The FAA will post all                          On March 2, 2016, ATR applied for a                 novel or unusual design feature:
                                                  comments it receives, without change,                    change to type certificate no. A53EU for                 Passenger seats that incorporate non-
                                                  to http://www.regulations.gov/,                          the installation of seats constructed of              traditional, large, non-metallic panels in
                                                  including any personal information the                   non-traditional, non-metallic materials               lieu of the traditional metal frame
                                                  commenter provides. Using the search                     in the Model ATR–42–200/–300/–320/–                   covered by fabric.
                                                  function of the docket Web site, anyone                  500, and ATR–72–102/–202/–212/–                       Discussion
                                                  can find and read the electronic form of                 212A airplanes.
                                                                                                             The Model ATR–42/–72 series                            In the early 1980s, the FAA
                                                  all comments received into any FAA                                                                             conducted extensive research on the
                                                  docket, including the name of the                        airplanes are twin-engine,
                                                                                                           turbopropeller-powered, transport-                    effects of post-crash flammability in the
                                                  individual sending the comment (or                                                                             passenger cabin. As a result of this
                                                  signing the comment for an association,                  category airplanes with maximum
                                                                                                           passenger capacity up to 74, depending                research and service experience, the
                                                  business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                                                                            FAA adopted new standards for interior
                                                  complete Privacy Act Statement can be                    upon airplane model.
                                                                                                                                                                 surfaces associated with large surface-
                                                  found in the Federal Register published                  Type Certification Basis                              area parts. Specifically, the rules require
                                                  on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),                      Under the provisions of Title 14, Code             measurement of heat release and smoke
                                                  as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot                     of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,               emission (part 25, Appendix F, parts IV
                                                  .gov/.                                                   ATR must show that the Model ATR–                     and V) for the affected parts. Heat
                                                     Docket: Background documents or                                                                             release has been shown to have a direct
                                                                                                           42–200/–300/–320/–500 and ATR–72–
                                                  comments received may be read at                                                                               correlation with post- crash-fire survival
                                                                                                           102/–202/–212/–212A airplanes, as
                                                  http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.                                                                       time. Materials that comply with the
                                                                                                           changed, continue to meet the
                                                  Follow the online instructions for                                                                             standards (i.e., § 25.853, ‘‘Compartment
                                                                                                           applicable provisions of the regulations
                                                  accessing the docket or go to Docket                                                                           interiors’’ at Amendment 25–61 and
                                                                                                           listed in type certificate no. A53EU, or
                                                  Operations in Room W12–140 of the                                                                              Amendment 25–66) extend survival
                                                                                                           the applicable regulations in effect on
                                                  West Building Ground Floor at 1200                                                                             time by approximately 2 minutes over
                                                                                                           the date of application for the change,
                                                  New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                                                                             materials that do not comply.
                                                                                                           except for earlier amendments as agreed
                                                  DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                                                                             At the time these standards were
                                                                                                           upon by the FAA.
                                                  through Friday, except Federal holidays.                    If the Administrator finds that the                written, the potential application of the
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John                    applicable airworthiness regulations                  requirements of seat heat release and
                                                  Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety,                      (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                 smoke emission was explored. The seat
                                                  ANM–115, Transport Airplane                              adequate or appropriate safety standards              frame itself was not a concern because
                                                  Directorate, Aircraft Certification                      for the Model ATR–42–200/–300/–320/                   it was primarily made of aluminum and
                                                  Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,                           –500 and ATR–72–102/–202/–212/–                       only small amounts of non-metallic
                                                  Renton, Washington 98057–3356;                           212A airplanes because of a novel or                  materials. Research determined that the
                                                  telephone 425–227–2785; facsimile                        unusual design feature, special                       overall effect on survivability was
                                                  425–227–1149.                                            conditions are prescribed under the                   negligible, whether or not the food trays
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA                       provisions of § 21.16.                                met the heat-release and smoke-
                                                  has determined that notice of, and                          Special conditions are initially                   emission requirements. The
                                                  opportunity for prior public comment                     applicable to the model for which they                requirements therefore did not address
                                                  on, these special conditions is                          are issued. Should the type certificate               seats. The preambles to both the Notice
                                                  impracticable because these procedures                   for that model be amended later to                    of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM),
                                                  would significantly delay issuance of                    include any other model that                          Notice No. 85–10 (50 FR 15038, April
                                                  the design approval, and thus delivery,                  incorporates the same novel or unusual                16, 1985), and the Final Rule at
                                                  of the affected airplanes.                               design feature, or should any other                   Amendment 25–61 (51 FR 26206, July


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                               49873

                                                  21, 1986), specifically note that seats                  that established by the existing                      that may be either a single component
                                                  were excluded ‘‘because the recently                     airworthiness standards.                              or multiple components in a
                                                  adopted standards for flammability of                                                                          concentrated area in their design.
                                                                                                           Applicability
                                                  seat cushions will greatly inhibit                                                                                2. The applicant may designate up to
                                                  involvement of the seats.’’                                As discussed above, these special                   and including 1.5 square feet of non-
                                                     Subsequently, the Final Rule at                       conditions are applicable to the Model                traditional, non-metallic panel material
                                                  Amendment 25–83 (60 FR 6615, March                       ATR–42–200/–300/–320/–500 and                         per seat place that does not have to
                                                  6, 1995) clarified the definition of                     ATR–72–102/–202/–212/–212A                            comply with special condition 1, above.
                                                  minimum panel size: ‘‘It is not possible                 airplanes. Should ATR apply at a later                A triple seat assembly may have a total
                                                  to cite a specific size that will apply in               date for a change to the type certificate             of 4.5 square feet excluded on any
                                                  all installations; however, as a general                 to include another model incorporating                portion of the assembly (e.g., outboard
                                                  rule, components with exposed surface                    the same novel or unusual design                      seat place, 1 sq. ft.; middle, 1 sq. ft.; and
                                                  areas of one square foot or less may be                  feature, these special conditions would               inboard, 2.5 sq. ft.)
                                                  considered small enough that they do                     apply to that model as well. These                       3. Seats need not meet the test
                                                  not have to meet the new standards.                      special conditions apply to new seat-                 requirements of 14 CFR part 25
                                                  Components with exposed surface areas                    certification programs. Previously                    Appendix F, parts IV and V, when
                                                  greater than two square feet may be                      approved seats are not affected by these              installed in compartments that are not
                                                  considered large enough that they do                     special conditions.                                   otherwise required to meet these
                                                  have to meet the new standards. Those                    Conclusion                                            requirements. Examples include
                                                  with exposed surface areas greater than                                                                        airplanes:
                                                  one square foot, but less than two square                  This action affects only certain novel
                                                                                                                                                                    a. With passenger capacities of 19 or
                                                  feet, must be considered in conjunction                  or unusual design features on two
                                                                                                                                                                 fewer;
                                                  with the areas of the cabin in which                     model series of airplanes. It is not a rule
                                                                                                                                                                    b. that do not have smoke-emission
                                                  they are installed before a determination                of general applicability.
                                                                                                             The substance of these special                      and heat-release test requirements in
                                                  could be made.’’                                                                                               their certification basis, and that are not
                                                     In the late 1990s, the FAA issued                     conditions has been subjected to the
                                                                                                           notice and comment period in several                  required by 14 CFR 121.312 to conduct
                                                  Policy Memorandum 97–112–39,                                                                                   such tests; or
                                                  ‘‘Guidance for Flammability Testing of                   prior instances and has been derived
                                                                                                           without substantive change from those                    c. that are exempted from smoke-
                                                  Seat/Console Installations,’’ October 17,                                                                      emission and heat-release testing.
                                                  1997 (http://rgl.faa.gov). That memo                     previously issued. It is unlikely that
                                                  was issued when it became clear that                     prior public comment would result in a                  Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21,
                                                  seat designs were evolving to include                    significant change from the substance                 2016.
                                                  large, non-metallic panels with surface                  contained herein. Therefore, because a                Michael Kaszycki,
                                                  areas that would impact survivability                    delay would significantly affect the                  Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane
                                                  during a cabin-fire event, comparable to                 certification of the airplane, which is               Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                  partitions or galleys. The memo noted                    imminent, the FAA has determined that                 [FR Doc. 2016–17846 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  that large-surface-area panels must                      prior public notice and comment are                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                  comply with heat-release and smoke-                      unnecessary and impracticable, and
                                                  emission requirements, even if they                      good cause exists for adopting these
                                                  were attached to a seat. If the FAA had                  special conditions upon publication in                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                  not issued such policy, seat designs                     the Federal Register. The FAA is
                                                  could have been viewed as a loophole                     requesting comments to allow interested               Federal Aviation Administration
                                                  to the airworthiness standards that                      persons to submit views that may not
                                                  would result in an unacceptable                          have been submitted in response to the                14 CFR Part 39
                                                  decrease in survivability during a cabin-                prior opportunities for comment                       [Docket No. FAA–2016–3700; Directorate
                                                  fire event.                                              described above.                                      Identifier 2015–NM–171–AD; Amendment
                                                     In October of 2004, an issue was                                                                            39–18595; AD 2016–15–04]
                                                  raised regarding the appropriate                         List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
                                                                                                             Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                RIN 2120–AA64
                                                  flammability standards for passenger
                                                  seats that incorporated non-traditional,                 and recordkeeping requirements.
                                                                                                                                                                 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
                                                  large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the                  The authority citation for these                    Company Airplanes
                                                  traditional metal covered by fabric. The                 special conditions is as follows:
                                                  FAA Seattle Aircraft Certification Office                  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,          AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                  and Transport Standards Staff reviewed                   44702, 44704.                                         Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                  this design, and determined that it                                                                            ACTION: Final rule.
                                                  represented the kind and quantity of                     The Special Conditions
                                                  material that should be required to pass                    Accordingly, pursuant to the                       SUMMARY:  We are adopting a new
                                                  the heat-release and smoke-emissions                     authority delegated to me by the                      airworthiness directive (AD) for all The
                                                  requirements. The FAA has determined                     Administrator, the following special                  Boeing Company Model 757–200 and
                                                  that special conditions would be issued                  conditions are issued as part of the type             –200CB series airplanes. This AD was
                                                  to apply the standards defined in 14                     certification basis for ATR Model ATR–                prompted by an evaluation by the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  CFR 25.853(d) to seats with large, non-                  42–200/–300/–320/–500 and ATR–72–                     design approval holder (DAH)
                                                  metallic panels in their design.                         102/–202/–212/–212A airplanes for new                 indicating that the lap splices at stringer
                                                  Traditional seat panels would not be                     seat-certification programs.                          S–14R, lower fastener row, are subject to
                                                  covered by the special conditions.                          1. Compliance with 14 CFR part 25                  widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This
                                                     These special conditions contain the                  Appendix F, parts IV and V, ‘‘Heat                    AD requires external dual frequency
                                                  additional safety standards that the                     release and smoke emission,’’ is                      eddy current (DFEC) or internal high
                                                  Administrator considers necessary to                     required for seats that incorporate non-              frequency eddy current (HFEC)
                                                  establish a level of safety equivalent to                traditional, large, non-metallic panels               inspections of the lap splice, inner skin


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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:51:18
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:51:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal special conditions; request for comments.
DatesThis action is effective on ATR on July 29, 2016. We must receive your comments by September 12, 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 425-227-1149.
FR Citation81 FR 49871 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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