82_FR_24326 82 FR 24225 - Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc., Model 680 Airplane; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

82 FR 24225 - Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc., Model 680 Airplane; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)

Page Range24225-24227
FR Document2017-10841

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 680 airplane. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24225-24227]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10841]



[[Page 24225]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0376; Special Conditions No. 25-680-SC]


Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc., Model 680 Airplane; 
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 Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) 
Model 680 airplane. 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 Textron on May 26, 2017. We must 
receive your comments by July 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0376 
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 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

[[Page 24226]]

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

    Textron holds type certificate no. T00012WI, which provides the 
certification basis for the Model 680 airplane. The Model 680 is a twin 
engine, transport category airplane with a passenger seating capacity 
of 12 and a maximum takeoff weight of 30,300 to 30,775 pounds, 
depending on the specific design.
    The FAA is issuing these special conditions for non-rechargeable 
lithium battery installations on the Model 680 airplane. 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, Textron must show that the 
Model 680 airplane meets the applicable provisions of the regulations 
listed in type certificate no. T00012WI 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 Model 680 airplane because of a 
novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the 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 
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 680 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.
     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

[[Page 24227]]

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 Model 680 airplane. 
Should Textron 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 Textron Model 680 airplane.

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.
    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 17, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10841 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        24225

                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            docket, including the name of the                     Federal Register (81 FR 23573)
                                                                                                        individual sending the comment (or                    applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         signing the comment for an association,               Corporation for the GVI airplane. Those
                                                                                                        business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                   were the first special conditions the
                                                14 CFR Part 25                                          complete Privacy Act Statement can be                 FAA issued for non-rechargeable
                                                [Docket No. FAA–2017–0376; Special                      found in the Federal Register published               lithium battery installations. We
                                                Conditions No. 25–680–SC]                               on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–                       explained in that document our
                                                                                                        19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.             decision to make those special
                                                Special Conditions: Textron Aviation                    dot.gov/.                                             conditions effective one year after
                                                Inc., Model 680 Airplane; Non-                             Docket: Background documents or                    publication in the Federal Register,
                                                Rechargeable Lithium Battery                            comments received may be read at                      which is April 22, 2017. In those special
                                                Installations                                           http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.              conditions, the FAA stated its intention
                                                                                                        Follow the online instructions for                    to apply non-rechargeable lithium
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               accessing the docket or go to Docket                  battery special conditions to design
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              Operations in Room W12–140 of the                     changes on other makes and models
                                                ACTION: Final special conditions; request               West Building Ground Floor at 1200                    applied for after this same date.
                                                for comment.                                            New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                       Section 1205 of the FAA
                                                                                                        DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                 Reauthorization Act of 1996 requires the
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                 through Friday, except Federal holidays.              FAA to consider the extent to which
                                                issued for non-rechargeable lithium                                                                           Alaska is not served by transportation
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                battery installations on the Textron                                                                          modes other than aviation and to
                                                                                                        Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight
                                                Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 680                                                                             establish appropriate regulatory
                                                                                                        Crew Interface Branch, ANM–111,
                                                airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium                                                                            distinctions when modifying
                                                                                                        Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
                                                batteries are a novel or unusual design                                                                       airworthiness regulations that affect
                                                                                                        Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue
                                                feature when compared to the state of                                                                         intrastate aviation in Alaska. In
                                                                                                        SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356;
                                                technology envisioned in the                                                                                  consideration of this requirement and
                                                                                                        telephone 425–227–2432; facsimile
                                                airworthiness standards for transport                                                                         the overall impact on safety, the FAA
                                                                                                        425–227–1149.
                                                category airplanes. The applicable                                                                            does not intend to require non-
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                airworthiness regulations do not contain                                                                      rechargeable lithium battery special
                                                adequate or appropriate safety standards                Future Requests for Installation of Non-              conditions for design changes that only
                                                for this design feature. These special                  Rechargeable Lithium Batteries                        replace a 121.5 megahertz (MHz)
                                                conditions contain the additional safety                   The FAA anticipates that non-                      emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
                                                standards that the Administrator                        rechargeable lithium batteries will be                with a 406 MHz ELT that meets
                                                considers necessary to establish a level                installed in most makes and models of                 Technical Standard Order C126b, or
                                                of safety equivalent to that established                transport category airplanes. We intend               later revision, on transport airplanes
                                                by the existing airworthiness standards.                to require special conditions for                     operating only in Alaska. This will
                                                DATES: This action is effective on                      certification projects involving non-                 support our efforts of encouraging
                                                Textron on May 26, 2017. We must                        rechargeable lithium battery                          operators in Alaska to upgrade to a 406
                                                receive your comments by July 10, 2017.                 installations to address certain safety               MHz ELT. These ELTs provide
                                                ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                     issues until we can revise the                        significantly improved accuracy for
                                                by docket number FAA–2017–0376                          airworthiness requirements. Applying                  lifesaving services to locate an accident
                                                using any of the following methods:                     special conditions to these installations             site in Alaskan terrain. The FAA
                                                   • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                 across the range of transport category                considers that the safety benefits from
                                                http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                  airplanes will ensure regulatory                      upgrading to a 406 MHz ELT for
                                                the online instructions for sending your                consistency.                                          Alaskan operations will outweigh the
                                                comments electronically.                                   Typically, the FAA issues special                  battery fire risk.
                                                   • Mail: Send comments to Docket                      conditions after receiving an application
                                                                                                                                                              Comments Invited
                                                Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                    for type certificate approval of a novel
                                                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                   or unusual design feature. However, the                 The substance of these special
                                                Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                          FAA has found that the presence of non-               conditions has been subjected to the
                                                Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                   rechargeable lithium batteries in                     notice and comment period in prior
                                                20590–0001.                                             certification projects is not always                  instances and has been derived without
                                                   • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                     immediately identifiable, since the                   substantive change from those
                                                comments to Docket Operations in                        battery itself may not be the focus of the            previously issued. It is unlikely that
                                                Room W12–140 of the West Building                       project. Meanwhile, the inclusion of                  prior public comment would result in a
                                                Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                         these batteries has become virtually                  significant change from the substance
                                                Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9                   ubiquitous on in-production transport                 contained herein. Therefore, the FAA
                                                a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                         category airplanes, which shows that                  has determined that prior public notice
                                                Friday, except Federal holidays.                        there will be a need for these special                and comment are unnecessary and
                                                   • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                        conditions. Also, delaying the issuance               impracticable, and good cause exists for
                                                Operations at 202–493–2251.                             of special conditions until after each                adopting these special conditions upon
                                                   Privacy: The FAA will post all                       design application is received could                  publication in the Federal Register. The
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                comments it receives, without change,                   lead to costly certification delays.                  FAA is requesting comments to allow
                                                to http://www.regulations.gov/,                         Therefore the FAA finds it necessary to               interested persons to submit views that
                                                including any personal information the                  issue special conditions applicable to                may not have been submitted in
                                                commenter provides. Using the search                    these battery installations on particular             response to the prior opportunities for
                                                function of the docket Web site, anyone                 makes and models of aircraft.                         comment described above.
                                                can find and read the electronic form of                   On April 22, 2016, the FAA published                 We invite interested people to take
                                                all comments received into any FAA                      special conditions no. 25–612–SC in the               part in this rulemaking by sending


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:00 May 25, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00015   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM   26MYR1


                                                24226                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                written comments, data, or views. The                   with the fuel vent and exhaust emission                  Some known uses of rechargeable and
                                                most helpful comments reference a                       requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the                non-rechargeable lithium batteries on
                                                specific portion of the special                         noise certification requirements of 14                airplanes include:
                                                conditions, explain the reason for any                  CFR part 36.                                             • Flight deck and avionics systems
                                                recommended change, and include                           The FAA issues special conditions, as               such as displays, global positioning
                                                supporting data.                                        defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight
                                                  We will consider all comments we                      with § 11.38, and they become part of                 data recorders, underwater locator
                                                receive by the closing date for                         the type certification basis under                    beacons, navigation computers,
                                                comments. We may change these special                   § 21.101.                                             integrated avionics computers, satellite
                                                conditions based on the comments we                                                                           network and communication systems,
                                                receive.                                                Novel or Unusual Design Feature                       communication management units, and
                                                Background                                                 The novel or unusual design feature is             remote-monitor electronic line-
                                                                                                        the installation of non-rechargeable                  replaceable units;
                                                  Textron holds type certificate no.                                                                             • Cabin safety, entertainment, and
                                                T00012WI, which provides the                            lithium batteries.
                                                                                                                                                              communications equipment, including
                                                certification basis for the Model 680                      For the purpose of these special                   emergency locator transmitters, life
                                                airplane. The Model 680 is a twin                       conditions, we refer to a battery and                 rafts, escape slides, seatbelt air bags,
                                                engine, transport category airplane with                battery system as a battery. A battery                cabin management systems, Ethernet
                                                a passenger seating capacity of 12 and                  system consists of the battery and any                switches, routers and media servers,
                                                a maximum takeoff weight of 30,300 to                   protective, monitoring, and alerting                  wireless systems, internet and in-flight
                                                30,775 pounds, depending on the                         circuitry or hardware inside or outside               entertainment systems, satellite
                                                specific design.                                        of the battery. It also includes vents                televisions, remotes, and handsets;
                                                  The FAA is issuing these special                      (where necessary) and packaging.
                                                                                                                                                                 • Systems in cargo areas including
                                                conditions for non-rechargeable lithium                                                                       door controls, sensors, video
                                                                                                        Discussion
                                                battery installations on the Model 680                                                                        surveillance equipment, and security
                                                airplane. The current battery                              The FAA derived the current                        systems.
                                                requirements in title 14, Code of Federal               regulations governing installation of                    Some known potential hazards and
                                                Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 are                        batteries in transport category airplanes             failure modes associated with non-
                                                inadequate for addressing an airplane                   from Civil Air Regulations (CAR)                      rechargeable lithium batteries are:
                                                with non-rechargeable lithium batteries.                4b.625(d) as part of the recodification of               • Internal failures: In general, these
                                                Type Certification Basis                                CAR 4b that established 14 CFR part 25                batteries are significantly more
                                                                                                        in February 1965. This recodification                 susceptible to internal failures that can
                                                   Under the provisions of 14 CFR                       basically reworded the CAR 4b battery
                                                21.101, Textron must show that the                                                                            result in self-sustaining increases in
                                                                                                        requirements, which are currently in                  temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal
                                                Model 680 airplane meets the applicable                 § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4). Non-
                                                provisions of the regulations listed in                                                                       runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or
                                                                                                        rechargeable lithium batteries are novel              lead-acid counterparts. The metallic
                                                type certificate no. T00012WI or the                    and unusual with respect to the state of
                                                applicable regulations in effect on the                                                                       lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-
                                                                                                        technology considered when these                      sustaining fire or explosion.
                                                date of application for the change,                     requirements were codified. These
                                                except for earlier amendments as agreed                                                                          • Fast or imbalanced discharging:
                                                                                                        batteries introduce higher energy levels              Fast discharging or an imbalanced
                                                upon by the FAA. In addition, the                       into airplane systems through new
                                                certification basis includes certain                                                                          discharge of one cell of a multi-cell
                                                                                                        chemical compositions in various                      battery may create an overheating
                                                special conditions, exemptions, or later                battery cell sizes and construction.
                                                amended sections that are not relevant                                                                        condition that results in an
                                                                                                        Interconnection of these cells in battery             uncontrollable venting condition, which
                                                to these special conditions.                            packs introduces failure modes that
                                                   If the Administrator finds that the                                                                        in turn leads to a thermal event or an
                                                                                                        require unique design considerations,                 explosion.
                                                applicable airworthiness regulations                    such as provisions for thermal
                                                (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                                                                            • Flammability: Unlike nickel-
                                                                                                        management.                                           cadmium and lead-acid batteries,
                                                adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                for the Model 680 airplane because of a                    Recent events involving rechargeable               lithium batteries use higher energy and
                                                novel or unusual design feature, special                and non-rechargeable lithium batteries                current in an electrochemical system
                                                conditions are prescribed under the                     prompted the FAA to initiate a broad                  that can be configured to maximize
                                                provisions of § 21.16.                                  evaluation of these energy storage                    energy storage of lithium. They also use
                                                   Special conditions are initially                     technologies. In January 2013, two                    liquid electrolytes that can be extremely
                                                applicable to the airplane model for                    independent events involving                          flammable. The electrolyte, as well as
                                                which they are issued. Should the type                  rechargeable lithium-ion batteries                    the electrodes, can serve as a source of
                                                certificate for that model be amended                   revealed unanticipated failure modes. A               fuel for an external fire if the battery
                                                later to include any other model that                   National Transportation Safety Board                  casing is breached.
                                                incorporates the same novel or unusual                  (NTSB) letter to the FAA, dated May 22,                  Special condition no. 1 of these
                                                design feature, or should any other                     2014, which is available at http://                   special conditions requires that each
                                                model already included on the same                      www.ntsb.gov, filename A–14–032–                      individual cell within a non-
                                                type certificate be modified to                         036.pdf, describes these events.                      rechargeable lithium battery be designed
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                                                incorporate the same novel or unusual                      On July 12, 2013, an event involving               to maintain safe temperatures and
                                                design feature, these special conditions                a non-rechargeable lithium battery in an              pressures. Special condition no. 2
                                                would also apply to the other model                     emergency locator transmitter                         addresses these same issues but for the
                                                under § 21.101.                                         installation demonstrated unanticipated               entire battery. Special condition no. 2
                                                   In addition to the applicable                        failure modes. The United Kingdom’s                   requires the battery be designed to
                                                airworthiness regulations and special                   Air Accidents Investigation Branch                    prevent propagation of a thermal event,
                                                conditions, the Model 680 must comply                   Bulletin S5/2013 describes this event.                such as self-sustained, uncontrollable


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                               24227

                                                increases in temperature or pressure                    these special conditions would apply to               The Special Conditions
                                                from one cell to adjacent cells.                        that model as well.
                                                   Special conditions nos. 1 and 2 are                                                                          Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                                                                           These special conditions are only                  authority delegated to me by the
                                                intended to ensure that the non-                        applicable to design changes applied for
                                                rechargeable lithium battery and its                                                                          Administrator, the following special
                                                                                                        after the effective date.                             conditions are issued as part of the type
                                                cells are designed to eliminate the
                                                potential for uncontrollable failures.                     These special conditions are not                   certification basis for the Textron Model
                                                However, a certain number of failures                   applicable to changes to previously                   680 airplane.
                                                will occur due to various factors beyond                certified non-rechargeable lithium
                                                                                                        battery installations where the only                  Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery
                                                the control of the battery designer.                                                                          Installations
                                                Therefore, other special conditions are                 change is either cosmetic or to relocate
                                                intended to protect the airplane and its                the installation to improve the safety of                In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4)
                                                occupants if failure occurs.                            the airplane and occupants. Previously                at Amendment 25–123 or § 25.1353(c)(1)
                                                   Special conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-             certified non-rechargeable lithium                    through (4) at earlier amendments, each
                                                explanatory.                                            battery installations, as used in this                non-rechargeable lithium battery
                                                   Special condition no. 4 makes it clear               paragraph, are those installations                    installation must:
                                                that the flammable fluid fire protection                approved for certification projects
                                                requirements of § 25.863 apply to non-                  applied for on or before the effective                   1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
                                                rechargeable lithium battery                            date of these special conditions. A                   temperatures and pressures under all
                                                installations. Section 25.863 is                        cosmetic change is a change in                        foreseeable operating conditions to
                                                applicable to areas of the airplane that                appearance only, and does not change                  prevent fire and explosion.
                                                could be exposed to flammable fluid                     any function or safety characteristic of                 2. Be designed to prevent the
                                                leakage from airplane systems. Non-                     the battery installation. These special               occurrence of self-sustaining,
                                                rechargeable lithium batteries contain                  conditions are also not applicable to                 uncontrollable increases in temperature
                                                an electrolyte that is a flammable fluid.               unchanged, previously certified non-                  or pressure.
                                                   Special condition no. 5 requires that                rechargeable lithium battery                             3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,
                                                each non-rechargeable lithium battery                   installations that are affected by a                  either in normal operation or as a result
                                                installation not damage surrounding                     change in a manner that improves the                  of its failure, that may accumulate in
                                                structure or adjacent systems,                          safety of its installation. The FAA                   hazardous quantities within the
                                                equipment, or electrical wiring from                    determined that these exclusions are in               airplane.
                                                corrosive fluids or gases that may escape               the public interest because the need to
                                                in such a way as to cause a major or                    meet all of the special conditions might                 4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
                                                more severe failure condition.                          otherwise deter these design changes                     5. Not damage surrounding structure
                                                   While special condition no. 5                        that improve safety.                                  or adjacent systems, equipment, or
                                                addresses corrosive fluids and gases,                                                                         electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
                                                special condition no. 6 addresses heat.                 Conclusion                                            gases that may escape in such a way as
                                                Special condition no. 6 requires that                     This action affects only a certain                  to cause a major or more severe failure
                                                each non-rechargeable lithium battery                   novel or unusual design feature on one                condition.
                                                installation have provisions to prevent                 model of airplane. It is not a rule of                   6. Have provisions to prevent any
                                                any hazardous effect on airplane                        general applicability.                                hazardous effect on airplane structure or
                                                structure or systems caused by the                                                                            systems caused by the maximum
                                                maximum amount of heat the battery                        The substance of these special
                                                                                                        conditions has been subjected to the                  amount of heat it can generate due to
                                                installation can generate due to any                                                                          any failure of it or its individual cells.
                                                failure of it or its individual cells. The              notice and comment period in prior
                                                means of meeting special conditions                     instances and has been derived without                   7. Have a failure sensing and warning
                                                nos. 5 and 6 may be the same, but the                   substantive change from those                         system to alert the flightcrew if its
                                                requirements are independent and                        previously issued. It is unlikely that                failure affects safe operation of the
                                                address different hazards.                              prior public comment would result in a                airplane.
                                                   These special conditions apply to all                significant change from the substance                    8. Have a means for the flightcrew or
                                                non-rechargeable lithium battery                        contained herein. Therefore, the FAA                  maintenance personnel to determine the
                                                installations in lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1)                has determined that prior public notice               battery charge state if the battery’s
                                                through (4) at Amendment 25–123 or                      and comment are unnecessary and                       function is required for safe operation of
                                                § 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier                  impracticable, and good cause exists for              the airplane.
                                                amendments. Those regulations remain                    adopting these special conditions upon
                                                                                                        publication in the Federal Register. The                 Note: A battery system consists of the
                                                in effect for other battery installations.                                                                    battery and any protective, monitoring, and
                                                   These special conditions contain the                 FAA is requesting comments to allow
                                                                                                                                                              alerting circuitry or hardware inside or
                                                additional safety standards that the                    interested persons to submit views that               outside of the battery. It also includes vents
                                                Administrator considers necessary to                    may not have been submitted in                        (where necessary) and packaging. For the
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to               response to the prior opportunities for               purpose of these special conditions, a
                                                that established by the existing                        comment described above.                              ‘‘battery’’ and ‘‘battery system’’ are referred to
                                                airworthiness standards.                                                                                      as a battery.
                                                                                                        List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
                                                Applicability
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                                                                                                                                                                Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 17,
                                                                                                          Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                2017.
                                                  These special conditions are                          and record keeping requirements.
                                                applicable to the Model 680 airplane.                                                                         Michael Kaszycki,
                                                Should Textron apply at a later date for                  The authority citation for these                    Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane
                                                a change to the type certificate to                     special conditions is as follows:                     Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                include another model incorporating the                   Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,          [FR Doc. 2017–10841 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am]
                                                same novel or unusual design feature,                   44702, 44704.                                         BILLING CODE 4910–13–P




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Document Created: 2017-05-26 02:24:26
Document Modified: 2017-05-26 02:24:26
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 comment.
DatesThis action is effective on Textron on May 26, 2017. We must receive your comments by July 10, 2017.
ContactNazih 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 Citation82 FR 24225 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements

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