82 FR 24228 - Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A330-300 Series Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

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

Page Range		24228-24230
FR Document		2017-10839

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Airbus Model A330-300 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.

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

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24228-24230]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10839]

[[Page 24228]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0369; Special Conditions No. 25-678-SC]

Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A330-300 Series Airplanes; Non-
Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable
lithium battery installations on the Airbus Model A330-300 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 26, 2017. We must
receive your comments by July 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0369
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 24229]]

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. A46NM, which provides the
certification basis for the A330-300 series airplanes. The A330-300
series airplanes are twin engine, transport category airplanes with a
passenger seating capacity of 375 to 440 and a maximum takeoff weight
of 405,650 to 533,518 pounds, depending on the specific design.
The FAA is issuing these special conditions for non-rechargeable
lithium battery installations on the A330-300 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
A330-300 series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of the
regulations listed in type certificate no. A46NM 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 A330-300 series airplanes because
of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the 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 A330-300 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.
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,

[[Page 24230]]

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 A330-300 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 A330-300 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.
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. 2017-10839 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 24229

written comments, data, or views. The In addition to the applicable Air Accidents Investigation Branch
most helpful comments reference a airworthiness regulations and special Bulletin S5/2013 describes this event.
specific portion of the special conditions, the A330–300 series Some known uses of rechargeable and
conditions, explain the reason for any airplanes must comply with the fuel non-rechargeable lithium batteries on
recommended change, and include vent and exhaust emission requirements airplanes include:
supporting data. of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise • Flight deck and avionics systems
We will consider all comments we certification requirements of 14 CFR such as displays, global positioning
receive by the closing date for part 36. systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight
comments. We may change these special The FAA issues special conditions, as data recorders, underwater locator
conditions based on the comments we defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance beacons, navigation computers,
receive. with § 11.38, and they become part of integrated avionics computers, satellite
the type certification basis under network and communication systems,
Background § 21.101. communication management units, and
Airbus holds type certificate no. remote-monitor electronic line-
Novel or Unusual Design Feature replaceable units;
A46NM, which provides the
certification basis for the A330–300 The novel or unusual design feature is • Cabin safety, entertainment, and
series airplanes. The A330–300 series the installation of non-rechargeable communications equipment, including
airplanes are twin engine, transport lithium batteries. emergency locator transmitters, life
For the purpose of these special rafts, escape slides, seatbelt air bags,
category airplanes with a passenger
conditions, we refer to a battery and cabin management systems, Ethernet
seating capacity of 375 to 440 and a
battery system as a battery. A battery switches, routers and media servers,
maximum takeoff weight of 405,650 to
system consists of the battery and any wireless systems, internet and in-flight
533,518 pounds, depending on the
protective, monitoring, and alerting entertainment systems, satellite
specific design.
circuitry or hardware inside or outside televisions, remotes, and handsets;
The FAA is issuing these special of the battery. It also includes vents • Systems in cargo areas including
conditions for non-rechargeable lithium (where necessary) and packaging. door controls, sensors, video
battery installations on the A330–300
Discussion surveillance equipment, and security
series airplanes. The current battery
systems.
requirements in title 14, Code of Federal The FAA derived the current Some known potential hazards and
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 are regulations governing installation of failure modes associated with non-
inadequate for addressing an airplane batteries in transport category airplanes rechargeable lithium batteries are:
with non-rechargeable lithium batteries. from Civil Air Regulations (CAR) • Internal failures: In general, these
Type Certification Basis 4b.625(d) as part of the recodification of batteries are significantly more
CAR 4b that established 14 CFR part 25 susceptible to internal failures that can
Under the provisions of 14 CFR in February 1965. This recodification result in self-sustaining increases in
21.101, Airbus must show that the basically reworded the CAR 4b battery temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal
A330–300 series airplanes meet the requirements, which are currently in runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or
applicable provisions of the regulations § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4). Non- lead-acid counterparts. The metallic
listed in type certificate no. A46NM or rechargeable lithium batteries are novel lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-
the applicable regulations in effect on and unusual with respect to the state of sustaining fire or explosion.
the date of application for the change, technology considered when these • Fast or imbalanced discharging:
except for earlier amendments as agreed requirements were codified. These Fast discharging or an imbalanced
upon by the FAA. In addition, the batteries introduce higher energy levels discharge of one cell of a multi-cell
certification basis includes certain into airplane systems through new battery may create an overheating
special conditions, exemptions, or later chemical compositions in various condition that results in an
amended sections that are not relevant battery cell sizes and construction. uncontrollable venting condition, which
to these special conditions. Interconnection of these cells in battery in turn leads to a thermal event or an
If the Administrator finds that the packs introduces failure modes that explosion.
applicable airworthiness regulations require unique design considerations, • Flammability: Unlike nickel-
(i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain such as provisions for thermal cadmium and lead-acid batteries,
adequate or appropriate safety standards management. lithium batteries use higher energy and
for the A330–300 series airplanes Recent events involving rechargeable current in an electrochemical system
because of a novel or unusual design and non-rechargeable lithium batteries that can be configured to maximize
feature, special conditions are prompted the FAA to initiate a broad energy storage of lithium. They also use
prescribed under the provisions of evaluation of these energy storage liquid electrolytes that can be extremely
§ 21.16. technologies. In January 2013, two flammable. The electrolyte, as well as
Special conditions are initially independent events involving the electrodes, can serve as a source of
applicable to the airplane model for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries fuel for an external fire if the battery
which they are issued. Should the type revealed unanticipated failure modes. A casing is breached.
certificate for that model be amended National Transportation Safety Board Special condition no. 1 of these
later to include any other model that (NTSB) letter to the FAA, dated May 22, special conditions requires that each
incorporates the same novel or unusual 2014, which is available at http:// individual cell within a non-
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES

design feature, or should any other www.ntsb.gov, filename A–14–032– rechargeable lithium battery be designed
model already included on the same 036.pdf, describes these events. to maintain safe temperatures and
type certificate be modified to On July 12, 2013, an event involving pressures. Special condition no. 2
incorporate the same novel or unusual a non-rechargeable lithium battery in an addresses these same issues but for the
design feature, these special conditions emergency locator transmitter entire battery. Special condition no. 2
would also apply to the other model installation demonstrated unanticipated requires the battery be designed to
under § 21.101. failure modes. The United Kingdom’s prevent propagation of a thermal event,

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:49 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1

24230 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

such as self-sustained, uncontrollable the same novel or unusual design The Special Conditions
increases in temperature or pressure feature, these special conditions would
from one cell to adjacent cells. apply to that model as well. Accordingly, pursuant to the
Special conditions nos. 1 and 2 are These special conditions are only authority delegated to me by the
intended to ensure that the non- applicable to design changes applied for Administrator, the following special
rechargeable lithium battery and its after the effective date. conditions are issued as part of the type
cells are designed to eliminate the certification basis for the Airbus Model
These special conditions are not A330–300 series airplanes.
potential for uncontrollable failures.
applicable to changes to previously
However, a certain number of failures Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery
certified non-rechargeable lithium
will occur due to various factors beyond Installations
battery installations where the only
the control of the battery designer.
change is either cosmetic or to relocate
Therefore, other special conditions are In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4)
the installation to improve the safety of
intended to protect the airplane and its at Amendment 25–123 or § 25.1353(c)(1)
the airplane and occupants. Previously
occupants if failure occurs. through (4) at earlier amendments, each
certified non-rechargeable lithium
Special conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self- non-rechargeable lithium battery
battery installations, as used in this
explanatory. installation must:
Special condition no. 4 makes it clear paragraph, are those installations
that the flammable fluid fire protection approved for certification projects 1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
requirements of § 25.863 apply to non- applied for on or before the effective temperatures and pressures under all
rechargeable lithium battery date of these special conditions. A foreseeable operating conditions to
installations. Section 25.863 is cosmetic change is a change in prevent fire and explosion.
applicable to areas of the airplane that appearance only, and does not change 2. Be designed to prevent the
could be exposed to flammable fluid any function or safety characteristic of occurrence of self-sustaining,
leakage from airplane systems. Non- the battery installation. These special uncontrollable increases in temperature
rechargeable lithium batteries contain conditions are also not applicable to or pressure.
an electrolyte that is a flammable fluid. unchanged, previously certified non-
rechargeable lithium battery 3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,
Special condition no. 5 requires that either in normal operation or as a result
each non-rechargeable lithium battery installations that are affected by a
change in a manner that improves the of its failure, that may accumulate in
installation not damage surrounding hazardous quantities within the
structure or adjacent systems, safety of its installation. The FAA
determined that these exclusions are in airplane.
equipment, or electrical wiring from
corrosive fluids or gases that may escape the public interest because the need to 4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
in such a way as to cause a major or meet all of the special conditions might 5. Not damage surrounding structure
more severe failure condition. otherwise deter these design changes or adjacent systems, equipment, or
While special condition no. 5 that improve safety. electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
addresses corrosive fluids and gases, Conclusion gases that may escape in such a way as
special condition no. 6 addresses heat. to cause a major or more severe failure
Special condition no. 6 requires that This action affects only a certain condition.
each non-rechargeable lithium battery novel or unusual design feature on one
6. Have provisions to prevent any
installation have provisions to prevent model of airplane. It is not a rule of
hazardous effect on airplane structure or
any hazardous effect on airplane general applicability.
systems caused by the maximum
structure or systems caused by the The substance of these special amount of heat it can generate due to
maximum amount of heat the battery conditions has been subjected to the any failure of it or its individual cells.
installation can generate due to any notice and comment period in prior
failure of it or its individual cells. The instances and has been derived without 7. Have a failure sensing and warning
means of meeting special conditions substantive change from those system to alert the flightcrew if its
nos. 5 and 6 may be the same, but the previously issued. It is unlikely that failure affects safe operation of the
requirements are independent and prior public comment would result in a airplane.
address different hazards. significant change from the substance 8. Have a means for the flightcrew or
These special conditions apply to all contained herein. Therefore, the FAA maintenance personnel to determine the
non-rechargeable lithium battery has determined that prior public notice battery charge state if the battery’s
installations in lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) and comment are unnecessary and function is required for safe operation of
through (4) at Amendment 25–123 or impracticable, and good cause exists for the airplane.
§ 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier adopting these special conditions upon Note: A battery system consists of the
amendments. Those regulations remain publication in the Federal Register. The battery and any protective, monitoring, and
in effect for other battery installations. FAA is requesting comments to allow alerting circuitry or hardware inside or
These special conditions contain the interested persons to submit views that outside of the battery. It also includes vents
additional safety standards that the may not have been submitted in (where necessary) and packaging. For the
Administrator considers necessary to response to the prior opportunities for purpose of these special conditions, a
establish a level of safety equivalent to comment described above. ‘‘battery’’ and ‘‘battery system’’ are referred to
that established by the existing as a battery.
airworthiness standards. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 17,
Applicability Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting 2017.
and record keeping requirements. Michael Kaszycki
These special conditions are
applicable to the A330–300 series The authority citation for these Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane
airplanes. Should Airbus apply at a later special conditions is as follows: Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
date for a change to the type certificate Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, [FR Doc. 2017–10839 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am]
to include another model incorporating 44702, 44704. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:49 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1

Document Created: 2017-05-26 02:23:34
Document Modified: 2017-05-26 02:23:34

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 26, 2017. We must receive your comments by July 10, 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 24228
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements

82 FR 24228 - Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A330-300 Series Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration