81 FR 67093 - Special Conditions: DAHER-SOCATA, Model TBM 700; Inflatable Four-Point Restraint Safety Belt With an Integrated Airbag Device

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)

Page Range		67093-67097
FR Document		2016-23564

These special conditions are issued for the installation of an inflatable four-point restraint safety belt with an integrated airbag device at the pilot and copilot seats on the DAHER-SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane. These airplanes, as modified by the installation of these inflatable safety belts, will have novel and unusual design features associated with the upper-torso restraint portions of the four-point safety belts, which contain an integrated airbag device. 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 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67093-67097]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23564]

=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9172; Special Conditions No. 23-276-SC]

Special Conditions: DAHER-SOCATA, Model TBM 700; Inflatable Four-
Point Restraint Safety Belt With an Integrated Airbag Device

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 67094]]

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the installation of an
inflatable four-point restraint safety belt with an integrated airbag
device at the pilot and copilot seats on the DAHER-SOCATA, Model TBM
700 airplane. These airplanes, as modified by the installation of these
inflatable safety belts, will have novel and unusual design features
associated with the upper-torso restraint portions of the four-point
safety belts, which contain an integrated airbag device. 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 September 30,
2016. We must receive your comments by October 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-9172
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: Mr. Bob Stegeman, Federal Aviation
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane
Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO; telephone
(816)-329-4140; 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 No. Company/airplane model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23-03-01-SC \1\....................... AMSAFE, Incorporated, Model
CH2000.
23-03-022-SC \2\...................... Goodrich Aircraft Interior
Products, Models AT-401, AT-
402, AT-502, AT-602, and AT-
802.
23-04-01-SC \3\....................... AMSAFE, Incorporated, Models A1,
A1A, and A1B.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/A5B140165998E8B586256D66005553C5?OpenDocument&Highlight=inflatable%20restraint%20safety%20belt%20with%20an%20integrated%20airbag.
\2\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/8122AF4A25F6F8BE86256C83005FF817?OpenDocument&Highlight=inflatable%20four-point%20restraint%20safety%20belt%20with%20an%20integrated%20airbag.
\3\ http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSC.nsf/0/262C53C9CF0F4FFF86256F08004F5D26?OpenDocument&Highlight=inflatable%20restraint%20safety%20belt%20with%20an%20integrated%20airbag.

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 January 5, 2016, DAHER-SOCATA (SOCATA) applied for FAA
validation for the optional installation of a four-point safety belt
restraint system for the pilot and copilot seats and incorporating
integrated inflatable airbags for both on the Model TBM 700 airplane.
The Model TBM 700 airplane is a single-engine powering a four bladed
turbopropellor. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 6578 pounds (2984
kg). In addition to a pilot and copilot, it can seat up to five
passengers.
The inflatable restraint systems are four-point safety belt
restraint systems consisting of a lap belt and shoulder harness with an
inflatable airbag attached to the shoulder harness straps. The
inflatable portion of the restraint system will rely on sensors
electronically activating the inflator for deployment.
If an emergency landing occurs, the airbags will inflate and
provide a protective cushion between the head of the occupant (pilot
and copilot) and the structure of the airplane. This will reduce the
potential for head and torso injury. The inflatable restraint behaves
in a manner similar to an automotive airbag; however, the airbag is
integrated into the shoulder harness straps. Airbags and inflatable
restraints are standard in the automotive industry; the use of an
inflatable restraint system is novel for general aviation.
The FAA has determined that this project will be accomplished on
the basis of providing the same level of safety as the current
certification requirements of airplane occupant restraint systems. The
FAA has the following two primary safety concerns with the installation
of airbags or inflatable restraints that--
1. They perform properly under foreseeable operating conditions;
and
2. They do not perform in a manner or at such times as to impede
the pilot's

[[Page 67095]]

ability to maintain control of the airplane or constitute a hazard to
the airplane or occupants.
The latter point has the potential to be the more rigorous of the
requirements. An unexpected deployment while conducting the takeoff or
landing phases of flight may result in an unsafe condition. The
unexpected deployment may either startle the pilot or generate a force
sufficient to cause a sudden movement of the control yoke. Both actions
may result in a loss of control of the airplane. The consequences are
magnified due to the low operating altitudes during these phases of
flight. The FAA has considered this when establishing these special
conditions.
The inflatable restraint system relies on sensors to electronically
activate the inflator for deployment. These sensors could be
susceptible to inadvertent activation, causing deployment in a
potentially unsafe manner. The consequences of an inadvertent
deployment must be considered in establishing the reliability of the
system. SOCATA must show that the effects of an inadvertent deployment
in flight are not a hazard to the airplane and that an inadvertent
deployment is extremely improbable. In addition, general aviation
aircraft are susceptible to a large amount of cumulative wear and tear
on a restraint system. The potential for inadvertent deployment may
increase as a result of this cumulative damage. Therefore, the impact
of wear and tear resulting with an inadvertent deployment must be
considered. The effect of this cumulative damage means duration of life
expectations must be established for the appropriate system components
in the restraint system design.
There are additional factors to be considered to minimize the
chances of inadvertent deployment. General aviation airplanes are
exposed to a unique operating environment, since the same airplane may
be used by both experienced and student pilots. The effect of this
environment on inadvertent deployment must be understood. Therefore,
qualification testing of the firing hardware and software must consider
the following--
1. The airplane vibration levels appropriate for a general aviation
airplane; and
2. The inertial loads that result from typical flight or ground
maneuvers, including gusts and hard landings.

Any tendency for the firing mechanism to activate as a result of these
loads or acceleration levels is unacceptable.
Other influences on inadvertent deployment include High-Intensity
Radiated Fields (HIRF) and lightning. Since the sensors that trigger
deployment are electronic, they must be protected from the effects of
these threats. To comply with HIRF and lightning requirements, the
inflatable restraint system is considered a critical system, since its
inadvertent deployment could have a hazardous affect on the airplane.
Given the level of safety of the occupant restraints currently
installed, the inflatable restraint system must show that it will offer
an equivalent level of protection for an emergency landing. If an
inadvertent deployment occurs, the restraint must still be at least as
strong as a Technical Standard Order approved belt and shoulder
harnesses. There is no requirement for the inflatable portion of the
restraint to offer protection during multiple impacts, where more than
one impact would require protection.
Where installed, the inflatable restraint system must deploy and
provide protection for each occupant under an emergency landing
condition. The Model TBM 700 airplane seats are certificated to the
structural requirements of Sec. 23.562; therefore, the test emergency
landing pulses identified in Sec. 23.562 must be used to satisfy this
requirement.
A wide range of occupants may use the inflatable restraint;
therefore, the protection offered by this restraint should be effective
for occupants that range from the fifth percentile female to the
ninety-fifth percentile male. Energy absorption must be performed in a
consistent manner for this occupant range.
In support of this operational capability, there must be a means to
verify the integrity of this system before each flight. SOCATA may
establish inspection intervals where they have demonstrated the system
to be reliable between these intervals.
An inflatable restraint may be armed even though no occupant is
using the seat. While there will be means to verify the integrity of
the system before flight, it is also prudent to require unoccupied
seats with active restraints not pose a hazard to any occupant. This
will protect any individual performing maintenance inside the cockpit
while the aircraft is on the ground. The restraint must also provide
suitable visual warnings that would alert rescue personnel to the
presence of an inflatable restraint system.
The design must also prevent the inflatable seatbelt from being
incorrectly buckled or installed to avoid hindering proper deployment
of the airbag. SOCATA may show that such deployment is not hazardous to
the occupant and will still provide the required protection.
The cabins of the SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane identified in
these special conditions are confined areas, and the FAA is concerned
that noxious gasses may accumulate if the airbag deploys. When
deployment occurs, either by design or inadvertently, there must not be
a release of hazardous quantities of gas or particulate matter into the
cockpit.
An inflatable restraint should not increase the risk already
associated with fire. The inflatable restraint should be protected from
the effects of fire to avoid creating an additional hazard such as, a
rupture of the inflator, for example.
Finally, the airbag is likely to have a large volume displacement,
and possibly impede the egress of an occupant. Since the bag deflates
to absorb energy, it is likely that the inflatable restraint would be
deflated at the time an occupant would attempt egress. However, it is
appropriate to specify a time interval after which the inflatable
restraint may not impede rapid egress. Ten seconds has been chosen as
reasonable time. This time limit offers a level of protection
throughout an impact event.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, SOCATA must show that the
Model TBM 700 airplane continues to meet the applicable provisions of
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
type certificate. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type
certificate are commonly referred to as the original type certification
basis.
The certification basis also includes all exemptions, if any;
equivalent level of safety findings, if any; and special conditions not
relevant to the special conditions adopted by this rulemaking action.
If the Administrator determines that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the inflatable restraint, as installed
on the SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane because of a novel or unusual
design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions
of Sec. 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Model TBM 700 airplane must comply with the fuel vent
and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the

[[Page 67096]]

FAA must issue a finding of regulatory adequacy under section 611 of
Public Law 92-574, the Noise Control Act of 1972.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in Sec. 11.19, under
Sec. 11.38 and they become part of the type certification basis under
Sec. 21.17(a)(2).
Special conditions are initially applicable to the models 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, the special conditions would also apply to the
other model.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane will incorporate the following
novel or unusual design feature: Installation of inflatable four-point
restraint safety belt with an integrated airbag device for the pilot
and copilot seats.

Discussion

The purpose of the airbag is to reduce the potential for injury in
the event of an accident. In a severe impact, an airbag will deploy
from the shoulder harness in a manner similar to an automotive airbag.
The airbag will deploy between the head of the occupant and airplane
interior structure, which will provide some protection to the head of
the occupant. The restraint will rely on sensors to electronically
activate the inflator for deployment.
The Code of Federal Regulations states performance criteria for
seats and restraints in an objective manner. However, none of these
criteria are adequate to address the specific issues raised concerning
inflatable restraints. Therefore, the FAA has determined that in
addition to the requirements of part 21 and part 23, special conditions
are needed to address the installation of this inflatable restraint.
Accordingly, these special conditions are adopted for the SOCATA,
Model TBM 700 airplanes equipped with four-point inflatable restraints.
Other conditions may be developed, as needed, based on further FAA
review and discussions with the manufacturer and civil aviation
authorities.

Applicability

As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane. Should SOCATA apply at a later date for
a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating
the same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would
apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability
and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of
these features on the airplane.
Under standard practice, the effective date of final special
conditions would be 30 days after the date of publication in the
Federal Register; however, as the certification date for the SOCATA,
Model TBM 700 airplane is imminent, the FAA finds that good cause
exists to make these special conditions effective upon issuance.
The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several prior instances, identified above,
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,
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

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
21.17; and 14 CFR 11.38 and 11.19.

The Special Conditions

The FAA has determined that this project will be accomplished on
the basis of not lowering the current level of safety of the SOCATA,
Model TBM 700 airplane occupant restraint systems. Accordingly,
pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
following special conditions are issued as part of the type
certification basis for the SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane.
1. Installation of inflatable four-point restraint safety belt with
an integrated airbag device.
a. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint will deploy and
provide protection under emergency landing conditions. Compliance will
be demonstrated using the dynamic test condition specified in Sec.
23.562(b)(2). It is not necessary to account for floor warpage, as
required by Sec. 23.562(b)(3), or vertical dynamic loads, as required
by Sec. 23.562(b)(1). The means of protection must take into
consideration a range of stature from a 5th percentile female to a 95th
percentile male. The inflatable restraint must provide a consistent
approach to energy absorption throughout that range.
b. The inflatable restraint must provide adequate protection for
the occupant. In addition, unoccupied seats that have an active
restraint must not constitute a hazard to any occupant.
c. The design must prevent the inflatable restraint from being
incorrectly buckled and incorrectly installed, such that the airbag
would not properly deploy. It must be shown that such deployment is not
hazardous to the occupant and will provide the required protection.
d. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint system is not
susceptible to inadvertent deployment as a result of wear and tear or
the inertial loads resulting from in-flight or ground maneuvers
(including gusts and hard landings) that are likely to be experienced
in service.
e. It must be extremely improbable for an inadvertent deployment of
the restraint system to occur, or an inadvertent deployment must not
impede the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane or cause
an unsafe condition or hazard to the airplane. In addition, a deployed
inflatable restraint must be at least as strong as a Technical Standard
Order, TSO-C114, certificated belt and shoulder harness.
f. It must be shown that deployment of the inflatable restraint
system is not hazardous to the occupant or will not result in injuries
that could impede rapid egress. This assessment should include
occupants whose restraint is loosely fastened.
g. It must be shown that an inadvertent deployment that could cause
injury to a standing or sitting person is improbable. In addition, the
restraint must also provide suitable visual warnings that would alert
rescue personnel to the presence of an inflatable restraint system.
h. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint will not impede
rapid egress of

[[Page 67097]]

the occupants 10 seconds after its deployment.
i. To comply with HIRF and lightning requirements, the inflatable
restraint system is considered a critical system since its deployment
could have a hazardous affect on the airplane.
j. It must be shown that the inflatable restraints will not release
hazardous quantities of gas or particulate matter into the cabin.
k. The inflatable restraint system installation must be protected
from the effects of fire such that no hazard to occupants will result.
l. There must be a means to verify the integrity of the inflatable
restraint activation system before each flight or it must be
demonstrated to reliably operate between inspection intervals.
m. A life limit must be established for appropriate system
components.
n. Qualification testing of the internal firing mechanism must be
performed at vibration levels appropriate for a general aviation
airplane.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 22, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23564 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 67093

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Dated: September 21, 2016. is consistent with 13 CFR 12.5(f) which
A. John Shoraka, provides that the limitations on
13 CFR Part 121 Associate Administrator for Government subcontracting do not apply to small
Contracting and Business Development. business set aside contracts with a value
RIN 3245–AG20 [FR Doc. 2016–23480 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] greater than $3,500 but not $150,000,
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P and 13 CFR 121.406(d) which provides
Acquisition Process: Task and that the performance requirements
Delivery Order Contracts, Bundling, (limitations on subcontracting) do not
Consolidation SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION apply to small business set-aside
acquisitions with an estimated value
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business 13 CFR Part 125 between $3,500 and $150,000.
Administration.
RIN 3245–AG58 List of Subjects in 13 CFR Part 125
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
Small Business Government Government contracts, Government
SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Contracting and National Defense procurement, Reporting and
Administration (SBA) is correcting a Authorization Act of 2013 Amendments recordkeeping requirements, Small
final rule that appeared in the Federal businesses, Technical assistance,
Register on October 2, 2013 (78 FR AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Veterans.
61113). The rule, which described how Administration. Accordingly, 13 CFR part 125 is
supply procurements should be ACTION: Correcting amendments. corrected by making the following
classified, mistakenly attempted to correcting amendments:
amend a regulation by removing words SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business
that did not exist in the particular Administration (SBA) is correcting a PART 125—GOVERNMENT
paragraph. This document corrects that final rule that appeared in the Federal CONTRACTING PROGRAMS
rule document by removing the Register on May 31, 2016 (81 FR 34243).
instruction. The rule described the limitations on ■ 1. The authority citation for part 125
subcontracting that apply to set aside continues to read as follows:
DATES: Effective September 30, 2016. contracts. The rule provides that the Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(p), (q); 634(b)(6);
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: limitations on subcontracting apply to 637; 644; 657f; 657r.
Michael McLaughlin, Office of Policy, small business set asides above
Planning & Liaison, U.S. Small Business $150,000 and to 8(a), HUBZone, ■ 2. Amend § 125.6 by revising
Administration, 409 Third Street SW., Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned paragraph (a) introductory text to read
Washington, DC 20416; 202–205–5353; (SDVO) or Women-Owned Small as follows:
michael.mclaughlin@sba.gov. Business (WOSB) set asides. The § 125.6 What are the prime contractor’s
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June $150,000 threshold appears twice in 13 limitations on subcontracting?
28, 2013, SBA published a rule in the CFR 125.6(a), and thus could be (a) General. In order to be awarded a
Federal Register at 78 FR 38811 that misinterpreted as applying the full or partial small business set-aside
amended § 121.404(b) by removing ‘‘and threshold to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO or contract with a value greater than
the date of certification by SBA’’ and WOSB set-asides. This action deletes $150,000, an 8(a) contract, an SDVO
adding in its place ‘‘and, where the second $150,000 threshold that SBC contract, a HUBZone contract, a
applicable, the date the SBA program appears in 13 CFR 125.6(a). WOSB or EDWOSB contract pursuant to
office requests a formal size DATES: Effective September 30, 2016. part 127 of this chapter, a small
determination in connection with a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: business concern must agree that:
concern that otherwise appears eligible Michael McLaughlin, Office of Policy, * * * * *
for program certification.’’ The final rule Planning & Liaison, U.S. Small Business
published on October 2, 2013, (78 FR Dated: September 15, 2016.
Administration, 409 Third Street SW.,
61113) intended to amend 13 CFR Washington, DC 20416; 202–205–5353; A. John Shoraka,
121.404(b) by removing ‘‘date of michael.mclaughlin@sba.gov. Associate Administrator for Government
certification by SBA’’ and adding in its Contracting and Business Development.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.
place ‘‘date the Director of the Division Small Business Administration (SBA) is
[FR Doc. 2016–23374 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
of Program Certification and Eligibility correcting a final rule that appeared in BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
or the Associate Administrator for the Federal Register on May 31, 2016
Business Development requests a formal (81 FR 34243). The rule described the
size determination in connection with a limitations on subcontracting that apply DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
concern that is otherwise eligible for to set aside contracts. The rule provides
program certification.’’ However, the that the limitations on subcontracting Federal Aviation Administration
amendment could not be implemented apply to small business set asides above
because at that point the words to be $150,000 and to 8(a), HUBZone, 14 CFR Part 23
removed did not exist in § 121.404(b). Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned
Therefore, SBA is removing that (SDVO) or Women-Owned Small [Docket No. FAA–2016–9172; Special
instruction from the final rule published
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES

Business (WOSB) set asides. The Conditions No. 23–276–SC]
on October 2, 2013. $150,000 threshold appears twice in 13
In the FR Rule Doc. No. 2016–22064 Special Conditions: DAHER–SOCATA,
CFR 125.6(a), and thus could be Model TBM 700; Inflatable Four-Point
in the issue of October 2, 2013, misinterpreted as applying the
beginning on page 61113, make the Restraint Safety Belt With an
threshold to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO or Integrated Airbag Device
following correction: WOSB set-asides. This action deletes
■ On page 61131, first column, remove the second $150,000 threshold that AGENCY:Federal Aviation
amendatory instruction number 4c. appears in 13 CFR 125.6(a). This action Administration (FAA), DOT.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\30SER1.SGM 30SER1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 67095

ability to maintain control of the Radiated Fields (HIRF) and lightning. deployment is not hazardous to the
airplane or constitute a hazard to the Since the sensors that trigger occupant and will still provide the
airplane or occupants. deployment are electronic, they must be required protection.
The latter point has the potential to be protected from the effects of these The cabins of the SOCATA, Model
the more rigorous of the requirements. threats. To comply with HIRF and TBM 700 airplane identified in these
An unexpected deployment while lightning requirements, the inflatable special conditions are confined areas,
conducting the takeoff or landing phases restraint system is considered a critical and the FAA is concerned that noxious
of flight may result in an unsafe system, since its inadvertent gasses may accumulate if the airbag
condition. The unexpected deployment deployment could have a hazardous deploys. When deployment occurs,
may either startle the pilot or generate affect on the airplane. either by design or inadvertently, there
a force sufficient to cause a sudden Given the level of safety of the must not be a release of hazardous
movement of the control yoke. Both occupant restraints currently installed, quantities of gas or particulate matter
actions may result in a loss of control the inflatable restraint system must into the cockpit.
of the airplane. The consequences are show that it will offer an equivalent An inflatable restraint should not
magnified due to the low operating level of protection for an emergency increase the risk already associated with
altitudes during these phases of flight. landing. If an inadvertent deployment fire. The inflatable restraint should be
The FAA has considered this when occurs, the restraint must still be at least protected from the effects of fire to
establishing these special conditions. as strong as a Technical Standard Order avoid creating an additional hazard
The inflatable restraint system relies approved belt and shoulder harnesses. such as, a rupture of the inflator, for
on sensors to electronically activate the There is no requirement for the example.
inflator for deployment. These sensors inflatable portion of the restraint to offer Finally, the airbag is likely to have a
could be susceptible to inadvertent protection during multiple impacts, large volume displacement, and
activation, causing deployment in a where more than one impact would possibly impede the egress of an
potentially unsafe manner. The require protection. occupant. Since the bag deflates to
consequences of an inadvertent Where installed, the inflatable absorb energy, it is likely that the
deployment must be considered in restraint system must deploy and inflatable restraint would be deflated at
establishing the reliability of the system. provide protection for each occupant the time an occupant would attempt
SOCATA must show that the effects of under an emergency landing condition. egress. However, it is appropriate to
an inadvertent deployment in flight are The Model TBM 700 airplane seats are specify a time interval after which the
not a hazard to the airplane and that an certificated to the structural inflatable restraint may not impede
inadvertent deployment is extremely requirements of § 23.562; therefore, the rapid egress. Ten seconds has been
test emergency landing pulses identified chosen as reasonable time. This time
improbable. In addition, general
in § 23.562 must be used to satisfy this limit offers a level of protection
aviation aircraft are susceptible to a
requirement. throughout an impact event.
large amount of cumulative wear and A wide range of occupants may use
tear on a restraint system. The potential the inflatable restraint; therefore, the Type Certification Basis
for inadvertent deployment may protection offered by this restraint Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,
increase as a result of this cumulative should be effective for occupants that SOCATA must show that the Model
damage. Therefore, the impact of wear range from the fifth percentile female to TBM 700 airplane continues to meet the
and tear resulting with an inadvertent the ninety-fifth percentile male. Energy applicable provisions of the applicable
deployment must be considered. The absorption must be performed in a regulations in effect on the date of
effect of this cumulative damage means consistent manner for this occupant application for the type certificate. The
duration of life expectations must be range. regulations incorporated by reference in
established for the appropriate system In support of this operational the type certificate are commonly
components in the restraint system capability, there must be a means to referred to as the original type
design. verify the integrity of this system before certification basis.
There are additional factors to be each flight. SOCATA may establish The certification basis also includes
considered to minimize the chances of inspection intervals where they have all exemptions, if any; equivalent level
inadvertent deployment. General demonstrated the system to be reliable of safety findings, if any; and special
aviation airplanes are exposed to a between these intervals. conditions not relevant to the special
unique operating environment, since the An inflatable restraint may be armed conditions adopted by this rulemaking
same airplane may be used by both even though no occupant is using the action.
experienced and student pilots. The seat. While there will be means to verify If the Administrator determines that
effect of this environment on the integrity of the system before flight, the applicable airworthiness regulations
inadvertent deployment must be it is also prudent to require unoccupied (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain
understood. Therefore, qualification seats with active restraints not pose a adequate or appropriate safety standards
testing of the firing hardware and hazard to any occupant. This will for the inflatable restraint, as installed
software must consider the following— protect any individual performing on the SOCATA, Model TBM 700
1. The airplane vibration levels maintenance inside the cockpit while airplane because of a novel or unusual
appropriate for a general aviation the aircraft is on the ground. The design feature, special conditions are
airplane; and restraint must also provide suitable prescribed under the provisions of
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2. The inertial loads that result from visual warnings that would alert rescue § 21.16.
typical flight or ground maneuvers, personnel to the presence of an In addition to the applicable
including gusts and hard landings. inflatable restraint system. airworthiness regulations and special
Any tendency for the firing mechanism The design must also prevent the conditions, the Model TBM 700 airplane
to activate as a result of these loads or inflatable seatbelt from being incorrectly must comply with the fuel vent and
acceleration levels is unacceptable. buckled or installed to avoid hindering exhaust emission requirements of 14
Other influences on inadvertent proper deployment of the airbag. CFR part 34 and the noise certification
deployment include High-Intensity SOCATA may show that such requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the

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67096 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

FAA must issue a finding of regulatory include another model incorporating the 1. Installation of inflatable four-point
adequacy under section 611 of Public same novel or unusual design feature, restraint safety belt with an integrated
Law 92–574, the Noise Control Act of the special conditions would apply to airbag device.
1972. that model as well. a. It must be shown that the inflatable
The FAA issues special conditions, as restraint will deploy and provide
defined in § 11.19, under § 11.38 and Conclusion protection under emergency landing
they become part of the type This action affects only certain novel conditions. Compliance will be
certification basis under § 21.17(a)(2). or unusual design features on one model demonstrated using the dynamic test
Special conditions are initially of airplanes. It is not a rule of general condition specified in § 23.562(b)(2). It
applicable to the models for which they applicability and affects only the is not necessary to account for floor
are issued. Should the type certificate applicant who applied to the FAA for warpage, as required by § 23.562(b)(3),
for that model be amended later to approval of these features on the or vertical dynamic loads, as required
include any other model that airplane. by § 23.562(b)(1). The means of
incorporates the same novel or unusual protection must take into consideration
Under standard practice, the effective a range of stature from a 5th percentile
design feature, or should any other
date of final special conditions would female to a 95th percentile male. The
model already included on the same
be 30 days after the date of publication inflatable restraint must provide a
type certificate be modified to
in the Federal Register; however, as the consistent approach to energy
incorporate the same novel or unusual
certification date for the SOCATA, absorption throughout that range.
design feature, the special conditions
Model TBM 700 airplane is imminent, b. The inflatable restraint must
would also apply to the other model.
the FAA finds that good cause exists to provide adequate protection for the
Novel or Unusual Design Features make these special conditions effective occupant. In addition, unoccupied seats
The SOCATA, Model TBM 700 upon issuance. that have an active restraint must not
airplane will incorporate the following The substance of these special constitute a hazard to any occupant.
novel or unusual design feature: conditions has been subjected to the c. The design must prevent the
Installation of inflatable four-point notice and comment period in several inflatable restraint from being
restraint safety belt with an integrated prior instances, identified above, and incorrectly buckled and incorrectly
airbag device for the pilot and copilot has been derived without substantive installed, such that the airbag would not
seats. change from those previously issued. It properly deploy. It must be shown that
is unlikely that prior public comment such deployment is not hazardous to the
Discussion occupant and will provide the required
would result in a significant change
The purpose of the airbag is to reduce from the substance contained herein. protection.
the potential for injury in the event of Therefore, notice and opportunity for d. It must be shown that the inflatable
an accident. In a severe impact, an prior public comment hereon are restraint system is not susceptible to
airbag will deploy from the shoulder unnecessary and the FAA finds good inadvertent deployment as a result of
harness in a manner similar to an cause, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. wear and tear or the inertial loads
automotive airbag. The airbag will 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), making these resulting from in-flight or ground
deploy between the head of the special conditions effective upon maneuvers (including gusts and hard
occupant and airplane interior structure, issuance. The FAA is requesting landings) that are likely to be
which will provide some protection to comments to allow interested persons to experienced in service.
the head of the occupant. The restraint submit views that may not have been e. It must be extremely improbable for
will rely on sensors to electronically submitted in response to the prior an inadvertent deployment of the
activate the inflator for deployment. opportunities for comment described restraint system to occur, or an
The Code of Federal Regulations above. inadvertent deployment must not
states performance criteria for seats and impede the pilot’s ability to maintain
restraints in an objective manner. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23 control of the airplane or cause an
However, none of these criteria are Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and unsafe condition or hazard to the
adequate to address the specific issues symbols. airplane. In addition, a deployed
raised concerning inflatable restraints. inflatable restraint must be at least as
Therefore, the FAA has determined that Citation strong as a Technical Standard Order,
in addition to the requirements of part TSO–C114, certificated belt and
The authority citation for these
21 and part 23, special conditions are shoulder harness.
special conditions is as follows: f. It must be shown that deployment
needed to address the installation of this
inflatable restraint. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and of the inflatable restraint system is not
Accordingly, these special conditions 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.17; and 14 CFR hazardous to the occupant or will not
are adopted for the SOCATA, Model 11.38 and 11.19. result in injuries that could impede
TBM 700 airplanes equipped with four- The Special Conditions rapid egress. This assessment should
point inflatable restraints. Other include occupants whose restraint is
conditions may be developed, as The FAA has determined that this loosely fastened.
needed, based on further FAA review project will be accomplished on the g. It must be shown that an
and discussions with the manufacturer basis of not lowering the current level inadvertent deployment that could
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and civil aviation authorities. of safety of the SOCATA, Model TBM cause injury to a standing or sitting
700 airplane occupant restraint systems. person is improbable. In addition, the
Applicability Accordingly, pursuant to the authority restraint must also provide suitable
As discussed above, these special delegated to me by the Administrator, visual warnings that would alert rescue
conditions are applicable to the the following special conditions are personnel to the presence of an
SOCATA, Model TBM 700 airplane. issued as part of the type certification inflatable restraint system.
Should SOCATA apply at a later date basis for the SOCATA, Model TBM 700 h. It must be shown that the inflatable
for a change to the type certificate to airplane. restraint will not impede rapid egress of

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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:33:47
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:33:47

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 September 30, 2016. We must receive your comments by October 31, 2016.
Contact		Mr. Bob Stegeman, Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO; telephone (816)-329-4140; facsimile (816)-329-4090.
FR Citation		81 FR 67093
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

81 FR 67093 - Special Conditions: DAHER-SOCATA, Model TBM 700; Inflatable Four-Point Restraint Safety Belt With an Integrated Airbag Device

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration