82 FR 22399 - Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A380-800 Series Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)
| Page Range | 22399-22402 | |
| FR Document | 2017-09840 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 22399-22402] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-09840] ======================================================================== Rules and Regulations Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations [[Page 22399]] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA-2017-0371; Special Conditions No. 25-672-SC] Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A380-800 Series Airplanes; Non- Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Airbus Model A380-800 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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: This action is effective on Airbus on May 16, 2017. We must receive your comments by June 30, 2017. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0371 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: Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Future Requests for Installation of Non-Rechargeable Lithium Batteries The FAA anticipates that non-rechargeable lithium batteries will be installed in most makes and models of transport category airplanes. We intend to require special conditions for certification projects involving non-rechargeable lithium battery installations to address certain safety issues until we can revise the airworthiness requirements. Applying special conditions to these installations across the range of transport category airplanes will ensure regulatory consistency. Typically, the FAA issues special conditions after receiving an application for type certificate approval of a novel or unusual design feature. However, the FAA has found that the presence of non- rechargeable lithium batteries in certification projects is not always immediately identifiable, since the battery itself may not be the focus of the project. Meanwhile, the inclusion of these batteries has become virtually ubiquitous on in-production transport category airplanes, which shows that there will be a need for these special conditions. Also, delaying the issuance of special conditions until after each design application is received could lead to costly certification delays. Therefore the FAA finds it necessary to issue special conditions applicable to these battery installations on particular makes and models of aircraft. On April 22, 2016, the FAA published special conditions no. 25-612- SC in the Federal Register (81 FR 23573) applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for the GVI airplane. Those were the first special conditions the FAA issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations. We explained in that document our decision to make those special conditions effective one year after publication in the Federal Register, which is April 22, 2017. In those special conditions, the FAA stated its intention to apply non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions to design changes on other makes and models applied for after this same date. Section 1205 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 1996 requires the FAA to consider the extent to which Alaska is not served by transportation modes other than aviation and to establish appropriate regulatory distinctions when modifying airworthiness regulations that affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. In consideration of this requirement and the overall impact on safety, the FAA does not intend to require non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions for design changes that only replace a 121.5 megahertz (MHz) emergency locator transmitter (ELT) with a 406 MHz ELT that meets Technical Standard Order C126b, or later revision, on transport airplanes operating only in Alaska. This will support our efforts of encouraging operators in Alaska to upgrade to a 406 [[Page 22400]] MHz ELT. These ELTs provide significantly improved accuracy for lifesaving services to locate an accident site in Alaskan terrain. The FAA considers that the safety benefits from upgrading to a 406 MHz ELT for Alaskan operations will outweigh the battery fire risk. Comments Invited The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the notice and comment period in 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, 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. 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 Airbus holds type certificate no. A58NM, which provides the certification basis for the A380-800 series airplanes. The A380-800 series airplanes are four engine, transport category airplanes with a passenger seating capacity of 853 and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,124,400 to 1,254,400 pounds, depending on the specific design. The FAA is issuing these special conditions for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the A380-800 series airplanes. The current battery requirements in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 are inadequate for addressing an airplane with non- rechargeable lithium batteries. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Airbus must show that the A380-800 series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in type certificate no. A58NM or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA. In addition, the certification basis includes certain special conditions, exemptions, or later amended sections that are not relevant to these special conditions. If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the A380-800 series airplanes because of a novel design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16. Special conditions are initially applicable to the airplane 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 or similar 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 A380-800 series 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 Feature The novel or unusual design feature is the installation of non- rechargeable lithium batteries. For the purpose of these special conditions, we refer to a battery and battery system as a battery. A battery system consists of the battery and any protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or hardware inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where necessary) and packaging. Discussion The FAA derived the current regulations governing installation of batteries in transport category airplanes from Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 4b.625(d) as part of the recodification of CAR 4b that established 14 CFR part 25 in February 1965. This recodification basically reworded the CAR 4b battery requirements, which are currently in Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4). Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are novel and unusual with respect to the state of technology considered when these requirements were codified. These batteries introduce higher energy levels into airplane systems through new chemical compositions in various battery cell sizes and construction. Interconnection of these cells in battery packs introduces failure modes that require unique design considerations, such as provisions for thermal management. Recent events involving rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries prompted the FAA to initiate a broad evaluation of these energy storage technologies. In January 2013, two independent events involving rechargeable lithium-ion batteries revealed unanticipated failure modes. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) letter to the FAA, dated May 22, 2014, which is available at http://www.ntsb.gov, filename A-14-032-036.pdf, describes these events. On July 12, 2013, an event involving a non-rechargeable lithium battery in an emergency locator transmitter installation demonstrated unanticipated failure modes. The United Kingdom's Air Accidents Investigation Branch Bulletin S5/2013 describes this event. Some known uses of rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries on airplanes include: Flight deck and avionics systems such as displays, global positioning systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders, underwater locator beacons, navigation computers, integrated avionics computers, satellite network and communication systems, communication management units, and remote-monitor electronic line-replaceable units; Cabin safety, entertainment, and communications equipment, including emergency locator transmitters, life rafts, escape slides, seatbelt air bags, cabin management systems, Ethernet switches, routers and media servers, wireless systems, internet and in-flight entertainment systems, satellite televisions, remotes, and handsets; Systems in cargo areas including door controls, sensors, video surveillance equipment, and security systems. Some known potential hazards and failure modes associated with non- rechargeable lithium batteries are: Internal failures: In general, these batteries are significantly more susceptible to internal failures that can result in self-sustaining increases in temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or lead-acid counterparts. The metallic lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining fire or explosion. [[Page 22401]] Fast or imbalanced discharging: Fast discharging or an imbalanced discharge of one cell of a multi-cell battery may create an overheating condition that results in an uncontrollable venting condition, which in turn leads to a thermal event or an explosion. Flammability: Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries use higher energy and current in an electrochemical system that can be configured to maximize energy storage of lithium. They also use liquid electrolytes that can be extremely flammable. The electrolyte, as well as the electrodes, can serve as a source of fuel for an external fire if the battery casing is breached. Special condition no. 1 of these special conditions requires that each individual cell within a non-rechargeable lithium battery be designed to maintain safe temperatures and pressures. Special condition no. 2 addresses these same issues but for the entire battery. Special condition no. 2 requires the battery be designed to prevent propagation of a thermal event, such as self-sustained, uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure from one cell to adjacent cells. Special conditions nos. 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the non-rechargeable lithium battery and its cells are designed to eliminate the potential for uncontrollable failures. However, a certain number of failures will occur due to various factors beyond the control of the battery designer. Therefore, other special conditions are intended to protect the airplane and its occupants if failure occurs. Special conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-explanatory. Special condition no. 4 makes it clear that the flammable fluid fire protection requirements of Sec. 25.863 apply to non-rechargeable lithium battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of the airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from airplane systems. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries contain an electrolyte that is a flammable fluid. Special condition no. 5 requires that each non-rechargeable lithium battery installation not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure condition. While special condition no. 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases, special condition no. 6 addresses heat. Special condition no. 6 requires that each non-rechargeable lithium battery installation have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery installation can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. The means of meeting special conditions nos. 5 and 6 may be the same, but the requirements are independent and address different hazards. These special conditions apply to all non-rechargeable lithium battery installations in lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at Amendment 25-123 or Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments. Those regulations remain in effect for other battery installations. 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 These special conditions are applicable to the A380-800 series airplanes. Should Airbus 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 are only applicable to design changes applied for after the effective date. These special conditions are not applicable to changes to previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery installations where the only change is either cosmetic or to relocate the installation to improve the safety of the airplane and occupants. Previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery installations, as used in this paragraph, are those installations approved for certification projects applied for on or before the effective date of these special conditions. A cosmetic change is a change in appearance only, and does not change any function or safety characteristic of the battery installation. These special conditions are also not applicable to unchanged, previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery installations that are affected by a change in a manner that improves the safety of its installation. The FAA determined that these exclusions are in the public interest because the need to meet all of the special conditions might otherwise deter these design changes that improve safety. Conclusion This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability. The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the notice and comment period in 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, 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 record keeping requirements. The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704. The Special Conditions Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of the type certification basis for the Airbus Model A380-800 series airplanes. Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations In lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at Amendment 25-123 or Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments, each non- rechargeable lithium battery installation must: 1. Be designed to maintain safe cell temperatures and pressures under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire and explosion. 2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining, uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure. 3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, either in normal operation or as a result of its failure, that may accumulate in hazardous quantities within the airplane. 4. Meet the requirements of Sec. 25.863. 5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure condition. 6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat it can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. [[Page 22402]] 7. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the flightcrew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane. 8. Have a means for the flightcrew or maintenance personnel to determine the battery charge state if the battery's function is required for safe operation of the airplane. Note: A battery system consists of the battery and any protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or hardware inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where necessary) and packaging. For the purpose of these special conditions, a ``battery'' and ``battery system'' are referred to as a battery. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 2017. Michael Kaszycki, Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2017-09840 Filed 5-15-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
![22399
Rules and Regulations Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 93
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take Typically, the FAA issues special
contains regulatory documents having general comments to Docket Operations in conditions after receiving an application
applicability and legal effect, most of which Room W12–140 of the West Building for type certificate approval of a novel
are keyed to and codified in the Code of Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey or unusual design feature. However, the
Federal Regulations, which is published under Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 FAA has found that the presence of non-
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through rechargeable lithium batteries in
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by Friday, except Federal holidays. certification projects is not always
the Superintendent of Documents. • Fax: Fax comments to Docket immediately identifiable, since the
Operations at 202–493–2251. battery itself may not be the focus of the
Privacy: The FAA will post all project. Meanwhile, the inclusion of
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION comments it receives, without change, these batteries has become virtually
to http://www.regulations.gov/, ubiquitous on in-production transport
Federal Aviation Administration including any personal information the category airplanes, which shows that
commenter provides. Using the search there will be a need for these special
14 CFR Part 25 function of the docket Web site, anyone conditions. Also, delaying the issuance
can find and read the electronic form of of special conditions until after each
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0371; Special
Conditions No. 25–672–SC] all comments received into any FAA design application is received could
docket, including the name of the lead to costly certification delays.
Special Conditions: Airbus, Model individual sending the comment (or Therefore the FAA finds it necessary to
A380–800 Series Airplanes; Non- signing the comment for an association, issue special conditions applicable to
Rechargeable Lithium Battery business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s these battery installations on particular
Installations complete Privacy Act Statement can be makes and models of aircraft.
found in the Federal Register published On April 22, 2016, the FAA published
AGENCY: Federal Aviation on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478), special conditions no. 25–612–SC in the
Administration (FAA), DOT. as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot Federal Register (81 FR 23573)
ACTION: Final special conditions; request .gov/. applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace
for comment. Docket: Background documents or Corporation for the GVI airplane. Those
comments received may be read at were the first special conditions the
SUMMARY: These special conditions are http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. FAA issued for non-rechargeable
issued for non-rechargeable lithium Follow the online instructions for lithium battery installations. We
battery installations on the Airbus accessing the docket or go to Docket explained in that document our
Model A380–800 series airplanes. Non- Operations in Room W12–140 of the decision to make those special
rechargeable lithium batteries are a West Building Ground Floor at 1200 conditions effective one year after
novel or unusual design feature when New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, publication in the Federal Register,
compared to the state of technology DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday which is April 22, 2017. In those special
envisioned in the airworthiness through Friday, except Federal holidays. conditions, the FAA stated its intention
standards for transport category FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: to apply non-rechargeable lithium
airplanes. The applicable airworthiness Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight battery special conditions to design
regulations do not contain adequate or Crew Interface Branch, ANM–111, changes on other makes and models
appropriate safety standards for this Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft applied for after this same date.
design feature. These special conditions Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue Section 1205 of the FAA
contain the additional safety standards SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; Reauthorization Act of 1996 requires the
that the Administrator considers telephone 425–227–2432; facsimile FAA to consider the extent to which
necessary to establish a level of safety 425–227–1149. Alaska is not served by transportation
equivalent to that established by the modes other than aviation and to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
existing airworthiness standards. establish appropriate regulatory
DATES: This action is effective on Airbus Future Requests for Installation of Non- distinctions when modifying
on May 16, 2017. We must receive your Rechargeable Lithium Batteries airworthiness regulations that affect
comments by June 30, 2017. The FAA anticipates that non- intrastate aviation in Alaska. In
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified rechargeable lithium batteries will be consideration of this requirement and
by docket number FAA–2017–0371 installed in most makes and models of the overall impact on safety, the FAA
using any of the following methods: transport category airplanes. We intend does not intend to require non-
• Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to to require special conditions for rechargeable lithium battery special
http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow certification projects involving non- conditions for design changes that only
the online instructions for sending your rechargeable lithium battery replace a 121.5 megahertz (MHz)
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
comments electronically. installations to address certain safety emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
• Mail: Send comments to Docket issues until we can revise the with a 406 MHz ELT that meets
Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of airworthiness requirements. Applying Technical Standard Order C126b, or
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey special conditions to these installations later revision, on transport airplanes
Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West across the range of transport category operating only in Alaska. This will
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC airplanes will ensure regulatory support our efforts of encouraging
20590–0001. consistency. operators in Alaska to upgrade to a 406
VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:05 May 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MYR1.SGM 16MYR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_22492/page/1.svg)
![22402 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
7. Have a failure sensing and warning • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to special conditions to these installations
system to alert the flightcrew if its http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow across the range of transport category
failure affects safe operation of the the online instructions for sending your airplanes will ensure regulatory
airplane. comments electronically. consistency.
8. Have a means for the flightcrew or • Mail: Send comments to Docket Typically, the FAA issues special
maintenance personnel to determine the Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of conditions after receiving an application
battery charge state if the battery’s Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey for type certificate approval of a novel
function is required for safe operation of Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West or unusual design feature. However, the
the airplane. Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC FAA has found that the presence of non-
Note: A battery system consists of the 20590–0001. rechargeable lithium batteries in
battery and any protective, monitoring, and • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take certification projects is not always
alerting circuitry or hardware inside or comments to Docket Operations in immediately identifiable, since the
outside of the battery. It also includes vents Room W12–140 of the West Building battery itself may not be the focus of the
(where necessary) and packaging. For the Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey project. Meanwhile, the inclusion of
purpose of these special conditions, a these batteries has become virtually
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
‘‘battery’’ and ‘‘battery system’’ are referred to ubiquitous on in-production transport
as a battery. a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. category airplanes, which shows that
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, • Fax: Fax comments to Docket there will be a need for these special
2017. Operations at 202–493–2251. conditions. Also, delaying the issuance
Michael Kaszycki, Privacy: The FAA will post all of special conditions until after each
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane comments it receives, without change, design application is received could
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. to http://www.regulations.gov/, lead to costly certification delays.
[FR Doc. 2017–09840 Filed 5–15–17; 8:45 am] including any personal information the Therefore the FAA finds it necessary to
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P commenter provides. Using the search issue special conditions applicable to
function of the docket Web site, anyone these battery installations on particular
can find and read the electronic form of makes and models of aircraft.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION all comments received into any FAA On April 22, 2016, the FAA published
docket, including the name of the special conditions no. 25–612–SC in the
Federal Aviation Administration individual sending the comment (or Federal Register (81 FR 23573)
signing the comment for an association, applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace
14 CFR Part 25 business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s Corporation for the GVI airplane. Those
complete Privacy Act Statement can be were the first special conditions the
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0385; Special
Conditions No. 25–675–SC] found in the Federal Register published FAA issued for non-rechargeable
on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478), lithium battery installations. We
Special Conditions: The Boeing as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot explained in that document our
Company, Model 747–8 Series .gov/. decision to make those special
Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Docket: Background documents or conditions effective one year after
Battery Installations comments received may be read at publication in the Federal Register,
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. which is April 22, 2017. In those special
AGENCY: Federal Aviation conditions, the FAA stated its intention
Administration (FAA), DOT. Follow the online instructions for
to apply non-rechargeable lithium
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
accessing the docket or go to Docket
battery special conditions to design
for comment. Operations in Room W12–140 of the
changes on other makes and models
West Building Ground Floor at 1200
applied for after this same date.
SUMMARY: These special conditions are New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, Section 1205 of the FAA
issued for non-rechargeable lithium DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday Reauthorization Act of 1996 requires the
battery installations on The Boeing through Friday, except Federal holidays. FAA to consider the extent to which
Company (Boeing) Model 747–8 series FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alaska is not served by transportation
airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight modes other than aviation and to
batteries are a novel or unusual design Crew Interface Branch, ANM–111, establish appropriate regulatory
feature when compared to the state of Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft distinctions when modifying
technology envisioned in the Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue airworthiness regulations that affect
airworthiness standards for transport SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356; intrastate aviation in Alaska. In
category airplanes. The applicable telephone 425–227–2432; facsimile consideration of this requirement and
airworthiness regulations do not contain 425–227–1149. the overall impact on safety, the FAA
adequate or appropriate safety standards SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: does not intend to require non-
for this design feature. These special rechargeable lithium battery special
conditions contain the additional safety Future Requests for Installation of Non- conditions for design changes that only
standards that the Administrator Rechargeable Lithium Batteries replace a 121.5 megahertz (MHz)
considers necessary to establish a level The FAA anticipates that non- emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
of safety equivalent to that established rechargeable lithium batteries will be with a 406 MHz ELT that meets
by the existing airworthiness standards. installed in most makes and models of Technical Standard Order C126b, or
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
DATES: This action is effective on The transport category airplanes. We intend later revision, on transport airplanes
Boeing Company on May 16, 2017. We to require special conditions for operating only in Alaska. This will
must receive your comments by June 30, certification projects involving non- support our efforts of encouraging
2017. rechargeable lithium battery operators in Alaska to upgrade to a 406
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified installations to address certain safety MHz ELT. These ELTs provide
by docket number FAA–2017–0385 issues until we can revise the significantly improved accuracy for
using any of the following methods: airworthiness requirements. Applying lifesaving services to locate an accident
VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:05 May 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MYR1.SGM 16MYR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_22492/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2017-05-16 13:52:25
Document Modified: 2017-05-16 13:52:25
| 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 comment. | |
| Dates | This action is effective on Airbus on May 16, 2017. We must receive your comments by June 30, 2017. | |
| Contact | Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1149. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 22399 | |
| CFR Associated | Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements |
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