83_FR_15373 83 FR 15304 - Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 Series Airplanes; Side-Facing Seats-Installation of Airbag Systems

83 FR 15304 - Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 Series Airplanes; Side-Facing Seats-Installation of Airbag Systems

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 69 (April 10, 2018)

Page Range15304-15310
FR Document2018-07278

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron), Model 700 series airplanes that feature an inflatable airbag system on multiple-place and single-place side-facing seats (i.e., seats positioned in the airplane with the occupant facing 90 degrees to the direction of airplane travel). 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 83 Issue 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15304-15310]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07278]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0247; Special Conditions No. 25-721-SC]


Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 Series 
Airplanes; Side-Facing Seats--Installation of Airbag Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 15305]]


ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation 
Inc. (Textron), Model 700 series airplanes that feature an inflatable 
airbag system on multiple-place and single-place side-facing seats 
(i.e., seats positioned in the airplane with the occupant facing 90 
degrees to the direction of airplane travel). 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 Aviation Inc. on April 10, 
2018. Send comments on or before May 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2018-0247 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 website, 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).
    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: Alan Sinclair, FAA, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Section, AIR-675, Transport Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, Washington 
98198-6547, telephone 206-231-3215, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is 
unnecessary because the substance of these special conditions has been 
published in the Federal Register for public comment in several prior 
instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore has 
determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary, and 
finds that, for the same reason, good cause exists for making these 
special conditions effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data.
    We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for 
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On November 20, 2014, Textron applied for a type certificate for 
the Textron Model 700 series airplanes. The Textron Model 700 series 
airplanes are low-wing, executive jet airplanes with seating provisions 
for 2 crewmembers and up to 12 passengers. These airplanes will have a 
maximum takeoff weight of 38,514 lbs.
    Textron's proposed passenger seating arrangement(s) include a 
baseline 9-place and an optional 8-place and 10-place configuration. 
The baseline configuration includes a forward right hand belted single-
place side-facing seat. An optional 10-place seat configuration 
includes a left hand, aft-belted, three-place side-facing couch. The 
multiple-place and single-place side-facing seats can be occupied for 
taxi, takeoff, and landing, and incorporate an inflatable airbag 
occupant protection system integrated into the side-facing seats. The 
FAA determined that inflatable airbag systems are a novel or unusual 
design feature and the existing airworthiness regulations do not 
provide adequate or appropriate safety standards.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Textron must show that the Textron Model 700 series 
airplanes meet the applicable provisions of part 25, as amended by 
Amendments 25-1 through 25-141.
    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 Textron Model 700 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 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, 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 Textron Model 700 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.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Textron Model 700 series airplanes will incorporate the 
following novel or unusual design feature:
    An inflatable airbag system on multiple-place and single-place 
side-facing seats installed in Textron Model 700 series airplanes, in 
order to reduce the potential for both head and leg injury in the event 
of an accident.

Discussion

    Side-facing seats are considered a novel design for transport 
category airplanes that include Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785 at 
Amendment 25-64 in their certification basis, and were not considered 
when those airworthiness standards were issued. The FAA has determined 
that the existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate 
safety standards for occupants of side-facing seats. To provide a level 
of safety

[[Page 15306]]

that is equivalent to that afforded to occupants of forward- and aft-
facing seats, additional airworthiness standards in the form of special 
conditions are necessary.
    On June 16, 1988, 14 CFR part 25 was amended by Amendment 25-64 to 
revise the emergency-landing conditions that must be considered in the 
design of transport category airplanes. Amendment 25-64 revised the 
static-load conditions in Sec.  25.561, and added a new Sec.  25.562 
that required dynamic testing for all seats approved for occupancy 
during takeoff and landing. The intent of Amendment 25-64 was to 
provide an improved level of safety for occupants on transport category 
airplanes. However, because most seating on transport category 
airplanes is forward-facing, the pass/fail criteria developed in 
Amendment 25-64 focused primarily on these seats. For some time, the 
FAA granted exemptions for the multiple-place side-facing-seat 
installations because the existing test methods and acceptance criteria 
did not produce a level of safety equivalent to the level of safety 
provided for forward- and aft-facing seats. These exemptions were 
subject to many conditions that reflected the injury-evaluation 
criteria and mitigation strategies available at the time of the 
exemption issuance.
    The FAA also issued special conditions to address single-place 
side-facing seats based on the data available at the time the FAA 
issued those special conditions. Continuing concerns regarding the 
safety of side-facing seats prompted the FAA to conduct research to 
develop an acceptable method of compliance with Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 
25.785(b) for side-facing seat installations. That research has 
identified injury considerations and evaluation criteria in addition to 
those previously used to approve side-facing seats (see published 
report DOT/FAA/AR-09/41, July 2011).
    One particular concern that was identified during the FAA's 
research program, but not addressed in the previous special conditions, 
was the significant leg injuries that can occur to occupants of both 
single- and multiple-place side-facing seats. Because this type of 
injury does not occur on forward- and aft-facing seats, the FAA 
determined that, to achieve the level of safety envisioned in Amendment 
25-64, additional requirements would be needed as compared to 
previously issued special conditions. Nonetheless, the research has now 
allowed the development of a single set of special conditions that is 
applicable to all fully side-facing seats.
    On November 5, 2012, the FAA released Policy Statement PS-ANM-25-
03-R1, ``Technical Criteria for Approving Side-Facing Seats,'' to 
update existing FAA certification policy on Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 
25.785(a) at Amendment 25-64 for single- and multiple-place side-facing 
seats. This policy addresses both the technical criteria for approving 
side-facing seats and the implementation of those criteria. The FAA 
methodology detailed in Policy Statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1 was used to 
establish a new set of proposed special conditions that incorporated 
conditions for exemptions developed prior to the policy and included in 
these new special conditions, others that reflect current research 
findings specifically for neck and leg protection. We have frequently 
issued these new special conditions for airbag systems in the shoulder 
belts. While the Textron design integrate the airbag systems into the 
side-facing seats that deploy from a different location then the 
shoulder belts, the airbag will inflate at the same locations as those 
in the shoulder belts. Therefore, the FAA is using the same special 
conditions as for airbag systems in shoulder belts for this Textron 
design as the airbag system functions the same.
    In Policy Statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1, conditions 1 and 2 are 
applicable to all side-facing seat installations, whereas conditions 3 
through 16 represent additional requirements applicable to side-facing 
seats equipped with an airbag system in the shoulder belt. These 
special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the 
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Textron Model 700 series airplanes 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.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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.
    In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785, 
the following special condition numbers 1 and 2 are part of the type 
certification basis of the Textron Model 700 series airplanes with 
side-facing seat installations. For seat places equipped with airbag 
systems, additional special condition numbers 3 through 16 are part of 
the type certification basis.
    1. Additional requirements applicable to tests or rational analysis 
conducted to show compliance with Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785 for 
side-facing seats:
    a. The longitudinal test(s) conducted in accordance with Sec.  
25.562(b)(2) to show compliance with the seat-strength requirements of 
Sec.  25.562(c)(7) and (8), and these special conditions must have an 
ES-2re anthropomorphic test dummy (ATD) (49 CFR part 572, subpart U) or 
equivalent, or a Hybrid-II ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart B, as 
specified in Sec.  25.562) or equivalent, occupying each seat position 
and including all items contactable by the occupant (e.g., armrest, 
interior wall, or furnishing) if those items are necessary to restrain 
the occupant. If included, the floor representation and contactable 
items must be located such that their relative position, with respect 
to the center of the nearest seat place, is the same at the start of 
the test as before floor misalignment is applied. For example, if floor 
misalignment rotates the centerline of the seat place nearest the 
contactable item 8 degrees clockwise about the airplane x-axis, then 
the item and floor representations must be rotated by 8 degrees 
clockwise also to maintain the same relative position to the seat 
place, as shown in Figure 1. Each ATD's relative position to the seat 
after application of floor misalignment must be the same as before 
misalignment is applied. To ensure proper loading of the seat by the 
occupants, the ATD pelvis must remain supported by the seat pan, and 
the restraint system must remain on the pelvis and shoulder of the ATD 
until rebound begins. No injury-criteria evaluation is necessary for 
tests conducted only to assess seat-strength requirements.

[[Page 15307]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10AP18.005

    b. The longitudinal test(s) conducted in accordance with Sec.  
25.562(b)(2), to show compliance with the injury assessments required 
by Sec.  25.562(c) and these special conditions, may be conducted 
separately from the test(s) to show structural integrity. In this case, 
structural-assessment tests must be conducted as specified in paragraph 
1a, above, and the injury-assessment test must be conducted without yaw 
or floor misalignment. Injury assessments may be accomplished by 
testing with ES-2re ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart U) or equivalent at 
all places. Alternatively, these assessments may be accomplished by 
multiple tests that use an ES-2re at the seat place being evaluated, 
and a Hybrid-II ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart B, as specified in Sec.  
25.562) or equivalent used in all seat places forward of the one being 
assessed, to evaluate occupant interaction. In this case, seat places 
aft of the one being assessed may be unoccupied. If a seat installation 
includes adjacent items that are contactable by the occupant, the 
injury potential of that contact must be assessed. To make this 
assessment, tests may be conducted that include the actual item, 
located and attached in a representative fashion. Alternatively, the 
injury potential may be assessed by a combination of tests with items 
having the same geometry as the actual item, but having stiffness 
characteristics that would create the worst case for injury (injuries 
due to both contact with the item and lack of support from the item).
    c. If a seat is installed aft of structure (e.g., an interior wall 
or furnishing) that does not have a homogeneous surface contactable by 
the occupant, additional analysis and/or test(s) may be required to 
demonstrate that the injury criteria are met for the area which an 
occupant could contact. For example, different yaw angles could result 
in different injury considerations and may require additional analysis 
or separate test(s) to evaluate.

[[Page 15308]]

    d. To accommodate a range of occupant heights (5th percentile 
female to 95th percentile male), the surface of items contactable by 
the occupant must be homogenous 7.3 inches (185 mm) above and 7.9 
inches (200 mm) below the point (center of area) that is contacted by 
the 50th percentile male size ATD's head during the longitudinal 
test(s) conducted in accordance with paragraphs 1a, 1b, and 1c, of 
these special conditions. Otherwise, additional head-injury criteria 
(HIC) assessment tests may be necessary. Any surface (inflatable or 
otherwise) that provides support for the occupant of any seat place 
must provide that support in a consistent manner regardless of occupant 
stature. For example, if an inflatable shoulder belt is used to 
mitigate injury risk, then it must be demonstrated by inspection to 
bear against the range of occupants in a similar manner before and 
after inflation. Likewise, the means of limiting lower-leg flail must 
be demonstrated by inspection to provide protection for the range of 
occupants in a similar manner.
    e. For longitudinal test(s) conducted in accordance with Sec.  
25.562(b)(2) and these special conditions, the ATDs must be positioned, 
clothed, and have lateral instrumentation configured as follows:
    i. ATD positioning:
    (1) Lower the ATD vertically into the seat while simultaneously 
(see Figure 2 for illustration):
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10AP18.006

    (a) Aligning the midsagittal plane (a vertical plane through the 
midline of the body; dividing the body into right and left halves) with 
approximately the middle of the seat place.
    (b) Applying a horizontal x-axis direction (in the ATD coordinate 
system) force of about 20 lbs. (89 N) to the torso at approximately the 
intersection of the midsagittal plane and the bottom rib of the ES-2re 
or lower sternum of the Hybrid-II at the midsagittal plane, to compress 
the seat back cushion.
    (c) Keeping the upper legs nearly horizontal by supporting them 
just behind the knees.
    (2) Once all lifting devices have been removed from the ATD:
    Rock it slightly to settle it in the seat.
    (a) Separate the knees by about 4 inches (100 mm).
    (b) Set the ES-2re's head at approximately the midpoint of the 
available range of z-axis rotation (to align the head and torso 
midsagittal planes).
    (c) Position the ES-2re's arms at the joint's mechanical detent 
that puts them at approximately a 40 degree angle with respect to the 
torso. Position the Hybrid-II ATD hands on top of its upper legs.
    (d) Position the feet such that the centerlines of the lower legs 
are approximately parallel to a lateral vertical plane (in the aircraft 
coordinate system).
    ii. ATD clothing: Clothe each ATD in form-fitting, mid-calf-length 
(minimum) pants and shoes (size 11E) weighing about 2.5 lbs. (1.1 Kg) 
total. The color of the clothing should be in contrast to the color of 
the restraint system. The ES-2re jacket is sufficient for torso 
clothing, although a form-fitting shirt may be used in addition if 
desired.

[[Page 15309]]

    iii. ES-2re ATD lateral instrumentation: The rib-module linear 
slides are directional, i.e., deflection occurs in either a positive or 
negative ATD y-axis direction. The modules must be installed such that 
the moving end of the rib module is toward the front of the aircraft. 
The three abdominal-force sensors must be installed such that they are 
on the side of the ATD toward the front of the aircraft.
    f. The combined horizontal/vertical test, required by Sec.  
25.562(b)(1) and these special conditions, must be conducted with a 
Hybrid II ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart B, as specified in Sec.  
25.562), or equivalent, occupying each seat position.
    g. Restraint systems:
    i. If inflatable restraint systems are used, they must be active 
during all dynamic tests conducted to show compliance with Sec.  
25.562.
    ii. The design and installation of seat-belt buckles must prevent 
unbuckling due to applied inertial forces or impact of the hands/arms 
of the occupant during an emergency landing.
    2. Additional performance measures applicable to tests and rational 
analysis conducted to show compliance with Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785 
for side-facing seats:
    a. Body-to-body contact: Contact between the head, pelvis, torso, 
or shoulder area of one ATD with the adjacent-seated ATD's head, 
pelvis, torso, or shoulder area is not allowed. Contact during rebound 
is allowed.
    b. Thoracic: The deflection of any of the ES-2re ATD upper, middle, 
and lower ribs must not exceed 1.73 inches (44 mm). Data must be 
processed as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 
571.214.
    c. Abdominal: The sum of the measured ES-2re ATD front, middle, and 
rear abdominal forces must not exceed 562 lbs. (2,500 N). Data must be 
processed as defined in FMVSS 571.214.
    d. Pelvic: The pubic symphysis force measured by the ES-2re ATD 
must not exceed 1,350 lbs. (6,000 N). Data must be processed as defined 
in FMVSS 571.214.
    e. Leg: Axial rotation of the upper-leg (femur) must be limited to 
35 degrees in either direction from the nominal seated position.
    f. Neck:
    As measured by the ES-2re ATD and filtered at CFC 600 as defined in 
SAE J211:
    i. The upper-neck tension force at the occipital condyle (O.C.) 
location must be less than 405 lbs. (1,800 N).
    ii. The upper-neck compression force at the O.C. location must be 
less than 405 lbs. (1,800 N).
    iii. The upper-neck bending torque about the ATD x-axis at the O.C. 
location must be less than 1,018 in lbs. (115 Nm).
    iv. The upper-neck resultant shear force at the O.C. location must 
be less than 186 lbs. (825 N).
    g. Occupant (ES-2re ATD) retention: The pelvic restraint must 
remain on the ES-2re ATD's pelvis during the impact and rebound phases 
of the test. The upper-torso restraint straps (if present) must remain 
on the ATD's shoulder during the impact.
    h. Occupant (ES-2re ATD) support:
    i. Pelvis excursion: The load-bearing portion of the bottom of the 
ATD pelvis must not translate beyond the edges of its seat's bottom 
seat-cushion supporting structure.
    ii. Upper-torso support: The lateral flexion of the ATD torso must 
not exceed 40 degrees from the normal upright position during the 
impact.
    3. For seats with an airbag system, show that the airbag system 
will deploy and provide protection under crash conditions where it is 
necessary to prevent serious injury. The means of protection must take 
into consideration a range of stature from a 2-year-old child to 95th 
percentile male. The airbag system must provide a consistent approach 
to energy absorption throughout that range of occupants. When the seat 
systems include airbag systems, the systems must be included in each of 
the certification tests as they would be installed in the airplane. In 
addition, the following situations must be considered:
    a. The seat occupant is holding an infant.
    b. The seat occupant is a pregnant woman.
    4. The airbag systems must provide adequate protection for each 
occupant regardless of the number of occupants of the seat assembly, 
considering that unoccupied seats may have an active airbag system.
    5. The design must prevent the airbag systems from being 
incorrectly installed, such that the airbag systems would not properly 
deploy. Alternatively, it must be shown that such deployment is not 
hazardous to the occupant and will provide the required injury 
protection.
    6. It must be shown that the airbag system is not susceptible to 
inadvertent deployment as a result of wear and tear, or inertial loads 
resulting from in-flight or ground maneuvers (including gusts and hard 
landings), and other operating and environment conditions (vibrations, 
moisture, etc.) likely to occur in service.
    7. Deployment of the airbag system must not introduce injury 
mechanisms to the seated occupant or result in injuries that could 
impede rapid egress. This assessment should include an occupant whose 
belt is loosely fastened.
    8. It must be shown that inadvertent deployment of the airbag 
system during the most critical part of the flight, will either meet 
the requirement of Sec.  25.1309(b) or not cause a hazard to the 
airplane or its occupants.
    9. It must be shown that the airbag system will not impede rapid 
egress of occupants 10 seconds after airbag deployment.
    10. The airbag systems must be protected from lightning and high-
intensity radiated fields (HIRF). The threats to the airplane specified 
in existing regulations regarding lightning, Sec.  25.1316, and HIRF, 
Sec.  25.1317, are incorporated by reference for the purpose of 
measuring lightning and HIRF protection.
    11. The airbag system must function properly after loss of normal 
aircraft electrical power, and after a transverse separation of the 
fuselage at the most critical location. A separation at the location of 
the airbag systems does not have to be considered.
    12. It must be shown that the airbag system will not release 
hazardous quantities of gas or particulate matter into the cabin.
    13. The airbag system installations must be protected from the 
effects of fire such that no hazard to occupants will result.
    14. A means must be available for a crew member to verify the 
integrity of the airbag activation system prior to each flight or it 
must be demonstrated to reliably operate between inspection intervals. 
The FAA considers that the loss of the airbag system deployment 
function alone (i.e., independent of the conditional event that 
requires the airbag system deployment) is a major-failure condition.
    15. The inflatable material may not have an average burn rate of 
greater than 2.5 inches/minute when tested using the horizontal 
flammability test defined in part 25, appendix F, part I, paragraph 
(b)(5).
    16. The airbag system, once deployed, must not adversely affect the 
emergency lighting system (e.g., block floor proximity lights to the 
extent that the lights no longer meet their intended function).


[[Page 15310]]


    Issued in Des Moines, Washington.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07278 Filed 4-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                15304               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Qj = (Tj)(Pj)                                             iii. For residual strength                          fatigue or damage tolerance then their
                                                Where:                                                  substantiation, the airplane must be able             effects must be taken into account.
                                                Tj = Average time spent in failure condition            to withstand two thirds of the ultimate                  v. Freedom from aeroelastic
                                                     j (in hours)                                       loads defined in paragraph (6)(b)(ii) of              instability must be shown up to a speed
                                                Pj = Probability of occurrence of failure mode          the special condition. For pressurized                determined from Figure 3. Flutter
                                                     j (per hour)                                       cabins, these loads must be combined
                                                                                                                                                              clearance speeds V′ and V″ may be
                                                  Note: If Pj is greater than 10¥3 per flight           with the normal operating differential
                                                                                                                                                              based on the speed limitation specified
                                                hour then a 1.5 factor of safety must be                pressure.
                                                                                                          iv. If the loads induced by the failure             for the remainder of the flight using the
                                                applied to all limit load conditions specified
                                                in Subpart C.                                           condition have a significant effect on                margins defined by § 25.629(b).




                                                V′ = Clearance speed as defined by                      may use special periodic inspections,                 determining the safety margin in Figure
                                                     § 25.629(b)(2).                                    and electronic components may use                     1. Flight limitations and expected
                                                V″ = Clearance speed as defined by                      daily checks, in lieu of detection and                operational limitations may be taken
                                                     § 25.629(b)(1).
                                                                                                        indication systems to achieve the                     into account in establishing Qj as the
                                                Qj = (Tj)(Pj) where:
                                                Tj = Average time spent in failure condition            objective of this requirement. These                  combined probability of being in the
                                                     j (in hours)                                       certification maintenance requirements                dispatched failure condition and the
                                                Pj = Probability of occurrence of failure mode          must be limited to components that are                subsequent failure condition for the
                                                     j (per hour)                                       not readily detectable by normal                      safety margins in Figures 2 and 3. These
                                                  Note: If Pj is greater than 10¥3 per flight           detection and indication systems and                  limitations must be such that the
                                                hour, then the flutter clearance speed must             where service history shows that                      probability of being in this combined
                                                not be less than V″.                                    inspections will provide an adequate                  failure state and then subsequently
                                                   vi. Freedom from aeroelastic                         level of safety.                                      encountering limit load conditions is
                                                instability must also be shown up to V′                    b. The existence of any failure                    extremely improbable. No reduction in
                                                in Figure 3 above, for any probable                     condition, not extremely improbable,                  these safety margins is allowed if the
                                                system failure condition combined with                  during flight that could significantly                subsequent system failure rate is greater
                                                any damage required or selected for                     affect the structural capability of the               than 10¥3 per flight hour.
                                                investigation by § 25.571(b).                           airplane and for which the associated                   Issued in Des Moines, Washington.
                                                   c. Consideration of certain failure                  reduction in airworthiness can be
                                                                                                                                                              Victor Wicklund,
                                                conditions may be required by other                     minimized by suitable flight limitations,
                                                                                                        must be signaled to the flight crew. For              Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy
                                                sections of 14 CFR part 25 regardless of                                                                      and Innovation Division, Aircraft
                                                calculated system reliability. Where                    example, failure conditions that result               Certification Service.
                                                analysis shows the probability of these                 in a factor of safety between the airplane
                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2018–07277 Filed 4–9–18; 8:45 am]
                                                failure conditions to be less than 10¥9                 strength and the loads of 14 CFR part
                                                                                                                                                              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                per flight hour, criteria other than those              25, subpart C, below 1.25, or flutter
                                                specified in this paragraph may be used                 margins below V″, must be signaled to
                                                for structural substantiation to show                   the crew during flight.
                                                                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                continued safe flight and landing.                         8. Dispatch with known failure
                                                   7. Failure indications. For system                   conditions. If the airplane is to be                  Federal Aviation Administration
                                                failure detection and indication, the                   dispatched in a known system failure
                                                following apply:                                        condition that affects structural                     14 CFR Part 25
                                                   a. The system must be checked for                    performance, or affects the reliability of
                                                failure conditions, not extremely                       the remaining system to maintain
                                                                                                                                                              [Docket No. FAA–2018–0247; Special
                                                improbable, that degrade the structural                 structural performance, then the
                                                                                                                                                              Conditions No. 25–721–SC]
                                                capability below the level required by                  provisions of this special condition
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                part 25 or significantly reduce the                     must be met, including the provisions of              Special Conditions: Textron Aviation
                                                reliability of the remaining system. As                 paragraph (5) for the dispatched                      Inc. Model 700 Series Airplanes; Side-
                                                far as reasonably practicable, the flight               condition, and paragraph (6) for                      Facing Seats—Installation of Airbag
                                                crew must be made aware of these                        subsequent failures. Expected                         Systems
                                                failures before flight. Certain elements                operational limitations may be taken
                                                of the control system, such as                          into account in establishing Pj as the                AGENCY:Federal Aviation
                                                                                                                                                                                                            ER10AP18.002</GPH>




                                                mechanical and hydraulic components,                    probability of failure occurrence for                 Administration (FAA), DOT.


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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         15305

                                                ACTION:Final special conditions; request                New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,                     determined that inflatable airbag
                                                for comments.                                           DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                 systems are a novel or unusual design
                                                                                                        through Friday, except Federal holidays.              feature and the existing airworthiness
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                                                                       regulations do not provide adequate or
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                issued for the Textron Aviation Inc.                                                                          appropriate safety standards.
                                                                                                        Alan Sinclair, FAA, Airframe and Cabin
                                                (Textron), Model 700 series airplanes
                                                                                                        Safety Section, AIR–675, Transport                    Type Certification Basis
                                                that feature an inflatable airbag system
                                                                                                        Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
                                                on multiple-place and single-place side-                                                                         Under the provisions of title 14, Code
                                                                                                        Service, 2200 South 216th St., Des
                                                facing seats (i.e., seats positioned in the                                                                   of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17,
                                                                                                        Moines, Washington 98198–6547,
                                                airplane with the occupant facing 90                                                                          Textron must show that the Textron
                                                                                                        telephone 206–231–3215, email
                                                degrees to the direction of airplane                                                                          Model 700 series airplanes meet the
                                                                                                        Alan.Sinclair@faa.gov.
                                                travel). The applicable airworthiness                                                                         applicable provisions of part 25, as
                                                regulations do not contain adequate or                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
                                                                                                                                                              amended by Amendments 25–1 through
                                                appropriate safety standards for this                   has determined that notice of, and                    25–141.
                                                design feature. These special conditions                opportunity for prior public comment                     If the Administrator finds that the
                                                contain the additional safety standards                 on, these special conditions is                       applicable airworthiness regulations
                                                that the Administrator considers                        unnecessary because the substance of                  (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain
                                                necessary to establish a level of safety                these special conditions has been                     adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                equivalent to that established by the                   published in the Federal Register for                 for the Textron Model 700 series
                                                existing airworthiness standards.                       public comment in several prior                       airplanes because of a novel or unusual
                                                                                                        instances with no substantive comments                design feature, special conditions are
                                                DATES: This action is effective on
                                                                                                        received. The FAA therefore has                       prescribed under the provisions of
                                                Textron Aviation Inc. on April 10, 2018.
                                                                                                        determined that prior public notice and               § 21.16.
                                                Send comments on or before May 25,
                                                                                                        comment are unnecessary, and finds                       Special conditions are initially
                                                2018.
                                                                                                        that, for the same reason, good cause                 applicable to the model for which they
                                                ADDRESSES:   Send comments identified                   exists for making these special                       are issued. Should the type certificate
                                                by Docket No. FAA–2018–0247 using                       conditions effective upon publication in              for that model be amended later to
                                                any of the following methods:                           the Federal Register.                                 include any other model that
                                                  • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                                                                        incorporates the same novel or unusual
                                                http://www.regulations.gov/and follow                   Comments Invited
                                                                                                                                                              design feature, these special conditions
                                                the online instructions for sending your                  We invite interested people to take                 would also apply to the other model
                                                comments electronically.                                part in this rulemaking by sending                    under § 21.101.
                                                  • Mail: Send comments to Docket                       written comments, data, or views. The                    In addition to the applicable
                                                Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                    most helpful comments reference a                     airworthiness regulations and special
                                                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                   specific portion of the special                       conditions, the Textron Model 700
                                                Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West                           conditions, explain the reason for any                series airplanes must comply with the
                                                Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                   recommended change, and include                       fuel-vent and exhaust-emission
                                                20590–0001.                                             supporting data.                                      requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the
                                                  • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                        We will consider all comments we                    noise-certification requirements of 14
                                                comments to Docket Operations in                        receive by the closing date for                       CFR part 36.
                                                Room W12–140 of the West Building                       comments. We may change these special                    The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                         conditions based on the comments we                   defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
                                                Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9                    receive.                                              with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                                a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                                                                               the type certification basis under
                                                Friday, except Federal holidays.                        Background
                                                                                                                                                              § 21.17(a)(2).
                                                  • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                           On November 20, 2014, Textron
                                                Operations at 202–493–2251.                             applied for a type certificate for the                Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                   Privacy: The FAA will post all                       Textron Model 700 series airplanes. The                 The Textron Model 700 series
                                                comments it receives, without change,                   Textron Model 700 series airplanes are                airplanes will incorporate the following
                                                to http://www.regulations.gov/,                         low-wing, executive jet airplanes with                novel or unusual design feature:
                                                including any personal information the                  seating provisions for 2 crewmembers                    An inflatable airbag system on
                                                commenter provides. Using the search                    and up to 12 passengers. These                        multiple-place and single-place side-
                                                function of the docket website, anyone                  airplanes will have a maximum takeoff                 facing seats installed in Textron Model
                                                can find and read the electronic form of                weight of 38,514 lbs.                                 700 series airplanes, in order to reduce
                                                all comments received into any FAA                        Textron’s proposed passenger seating                the potential for both head and leg
                                                docket, including the name of the                       arrangement(s) include a baseline 9-                  injury in the event of an accident.
                                                individual sending the comment (or                      place and an optional 8-place and 10-
                                                signing the comment for an association,                 place configuration. The baseline                     Discussion
                                                business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                     configuration includes a forward right                  Side-facing seats are considered a
                                                complete Privacy Act Statement can be                   hand belted single-place side-facing                  novel design for transport category
                                                found in the Federal Register published                 seat. An optional 10-place seat                       airplanes that include §§ 25.562 and
                                                on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478).                  configuration includes a left hand, aft-              25.785 at Amendment 25–64 in their
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                   Docket: Background documents or                      belted, three-place side-facing couch.                certification basis, and were not
                                                comments received may be read at                        The multiple-place and single-place                   considered when those airworthiness
                                                http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.                side-facing seats can be occupied for                 standards were issued. The FAA has
                                                Follow the online instructions for                      taxi, takeoff, and landing, and                       determined that the existing regulations
                                                accessing the docket or go to Docket                    incorporate an inflatable airbag                      do not provide adequate or appropriate
                                                Operations in Room W12–140 of the                       occupant protection system integrated                 safety standards for occupants of side-
                                                West Building Ground Floor at 1200                      into the side-facing seats. The FAA                   facing seats. To provide a level of safety


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                                                15306               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                that is equivalent to that afforded to                     On November 5, 2012, the FAA                       Authority Citation
                                                occupants of forward- and aft-facing                    released Policy Statement PS–ANM–25–                    The authority citation for these
                                                seats, additional airworthiness                         03–R1, ‘‘Technical Criteria for                       special conditions is as follows:
                                                standards in the form of special                        Approving Side-Facing Seats,’’ to
                                                conditions are necessary.                               update existing FAA certification policy                Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,
                                                   On June 16, 1988, 14 CFR part 25 was                 on §§ 25.562 and 25.785(a) at                         44701, 44702, 44704.
                                                amended by Amendment 25–64 to                           Amendment 25–64 for single- and                       The Special Conditions
                                                revise the emergency-landing conditions                 multiple-place side-facing seats. This
                                                that must be considered in the design of                                                                         Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                                                                        policy addresses both the technical
                                                transport category airplanes.                                                                                 authority delegated to me by the
                                                                                                        criteria for approving side-facing seats
                                                Amendment 25–64 revised the static-                                                                           Administrator, the following special
                                                                                                        and the implementation of those
                                                load conditions in § 25.561, and added                                                                        conditions are issued as part of the type
                                                                                                        criteria. The FAA methodology detailed
                                                a new § 25.562 that required dynamic                                                                          certification basis.
                                                                                                        in Policy Statement PS–ANM–25–03–R1
                                                testing for all seats approved for                      was used to establish a new set of                       In addition to the requirements of
                                                occupancy during takeoff and landing.                   proposed special conditions that                      §§ 25.562 and 25.785, the following
                                                The intent of Amendment 25–64 was to                    incorporated conditions for exemptions                special condition numbers 1 and 2 are
                                                provide an improved level of safety for                 developed prior to the policy and                     part of the type certification basis of the
                                                occupants on transport category                         included in these new special                         Textron Model 700 series airplanes with
                                                airplanes. However, because most                        conditions, others that reflect current               side-facing seat installations. For seat
                                                seating on transport category airplanes                 research findings specifically for neck               places equipped with airbag systems,
                                                is forward-facing, the pass/fail criteria               and leg protection. We have frequently                additional special condition numbers 3
                                                developed in Amendment 25–64                            issued these new special conditions for               through 16 are part of the type
                                                focused primarily on these seats. For                   airbag systems in the shoulder belts.                 certification basis.
                                                some time, the FAA granted exemptions                   While the Textron design integrate the                   1. Additional requirements applicable
                                                for the multiple-place side-facing-seat                 airbag systems into the side-facing seats             to tests or rational analysis conducted to
                                                installations because the existing test                 that deploy from a different location                 show compliance with §§ 25.562 and
                                                methods and acceptance criteria did not                 then the shoulder belts, the airbag will              25.785 for side-facing seats:
                                                produce a level of safety equivalent to                 inflate at the same locations as those in                a. The longitudinal test(s) conducted
                                                the level of safety provided for forward-               the shoulder belts. Therefore, the FAA                in accordance with § 25.562(b)(2) to
                                                and aft-facing seats. These exemptions                  is using the same special conditions as               show compliance with the seat-strength
                                                were subject to many conditions that                    for airbag systems in shoulder belts for              requirements of § 25.562(c)(7) and (8),
                                                reflected the injury-evaluation criteria                this Textron design as the airbag system              and these special conditions must have
                                                and mitigation strategies available at the              functions the same.                                   an ES–2re anthropomorphic test dummy
                                                time of the exemption issuance.                                                                               (ATD) (49 CFR part 572, subpart U) or
                                                                                                           In Policy Statement PS–ANM–25–03–                  equivalent, or a Hybrid-II ATD (49 CFR
                                                   The FAA also issued special
                                                                                                        R1, conditions 1 and 2 are applicable to              part 572, subpart B, as specified in
                                                conditions to address single-place side-
                                                                                                        all side-facing seat installations,                   § 25.562) or equivalent, occupying each
                                                facing seats based on the data available
                                                                                                        whereas conditions 3 through 16                       seat position and including all items
                                                at the time the FAA issued those special
                                                                                                        represent additional requirements                     contactable by the occupant (e.g.,
                                                conditions. Continuing concerns
                                                                                                        applicable to side-facing seats equipped              armrest, interior wall, or furnishing) if
                                                regarding the safety of side-facing seats
                                                                                                        with an airbag system in the shoulder                 those items are necessary to restrain the
                                                prompted the FAA to conduct research
                                                                                                        belt. These special conditions contain                occupant. If included, the floor
                                                to develop an acceptable method of
                                                                                                        the additional safety standards that the              representation and contactable items
                                                compliance with §§ 25.562 and
                                                                                                        Administrator considers necessary to                  must be located such that their relative
                                                25.785(b) for side-facing seat
                                                                                                        establish a level of safety equivalent to             position, with respect to the center of
                                                installations. That research has
                                                                                                        that established by the existing                      the nearest seat place, is the same at the
                                                identified injury considerations and
                                                                                                        airworthiness standards.                              start of the test as before floor
                                                evaluation criteria in addition to those
                                                previously used to approve side-facing                  Applicability                                         misalignment is applied. For example, if
                                                seats (see published report DOT/FAA/                                                                          floor misalignment rotates the centerline
                                                AR–09/41, July 2011).                                     As discussed above, these special                   of the seat place nearest the contactable
                                                   One particular concern that was                      conditions are applicable to the Textron              item 8 degrees clockwise about the
                                                identified during the FAA’s research                    Model 700 series airplanes Should                     airplane x-axis, then the item and floor
                                                program, but not addressed in the                       Textron apply at a later date for a                   representations must be rotated by 8
                                                previous special conditions, was the                    change to the type certificate to include             degrees clockwise also to maintain the
                                                significant leg injuries that can occur to              another model incorporating the same                  same relative position to the seat place,
                                                occupants of both single- and multiple-                 novel or unusual design feature, these                as shown in Figure 1. Each ATD’s
                                                place side-facing seats. Because this                   special conditions would apply to that                relative position to the seat after
                                                type of injury does not occur on                        model as well.                                        application of floor misalignment must
                                                forward- and aft-facing seats, the FAA                  Conclusion                                            be the same as before misalignment is
                                                determined that, to achieve the level of                                                                      applied. To ensure proper loading of the
                                                safety envisioned in Amendment 25–64,                     This action affects only certain novel              seat by the occupants, the ATD pelvis
                                                additional requirements would be                        or unusual design features on one model               must remain supported by the seat pan,
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                needed as compared to previously                        of airplane. It is not a rule of general              and the restraint system must remain on
                                                issued special conditions. Nonetheless,                 applicability.                                        the pelvis and shoulder of the ATD until
                                                the research has now allowed the                        List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                    rebound begins. No injury-criteria
                                                development of a single set of special                                                                        evaluation is necessary for tests
                                                conditions that is applicable to all fully                Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                conducted only to assess seat-strength
                                                side-facing seats.                                      and recordkeeping requirements.                       requirements.



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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                           15307




                                                   b. The longitudinal test(s) conducted                the seat place being evaluated, and a                 the same geometry as the actual item,
                                                in accordance with § 25.562(b)(2), to                   Hybrid-II ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart               but having stiffness characteristics that
                                                show compliance with the injury                         B, as specified in § 25.562) or equivalent            would create the worst case for injury
                                                assessments required by § 25.562(c) and                 used in all seat places forward of the                (injuries due to both contact with the
                                                these special conditions, may be                        one being assessed, to evaluate occupant              item and lack of support from the item).
                                                conducted separately from the test(s) to                interaction. In this case, seat places aft               c. If a seat is installed aft of structure
                                                show structural integrity. In this case,                of the one being assessed may be                      (e.g., an interior wall or furnishing) that
                                                structural-assessment tests must be                     unoccupied. If a seat installation                    does not have a homogeneous surface
                                                conducted as specified in paragraph 1a,                 includes adjacent items that are                      contactable by the occupant, additional
                                                above, and the injury-assessment test                   contactable by the occupant, the injury               analysis and/or test(s) may be required
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                must be conducted without yaw or floor                  potential of that contact must be                     to demonstrate that the injury criteria
                                                misalignment. Injury assessments may                    assessed. To make this assessment, tests              are met for the area which an occupant
                                                be accomplished by testing with ES–2re                  may be conducted that include the                     could contact. For example, different
                                                ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart U) or                     actual item, located and attached in a                yaw angles could result in different
                                                equivalent at all places. Alternatively,                representative fashion. Alternatively,                injury considerations and may require
                                                these assessments may be accomplished                   the injury potential may be assessed by               additional analysis or separate test(s) to
                                                                                                                                                                                                              ER10AP18.005</GPH>




                                                by multiple tests that use an ES–2re at                 a combination of tests with items having              evaluate.


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                                                15308               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   d. To accommodate a range of                         assessment tests may be necessary. Any                demonstrated by inspection to provide
                                                occupant heights (5th percentile female                 surface (inflatable or otherwise) that                protection for the range of occupants in
                                                to 95th percentile male), the surface of                provides support for the occupant of                  a similar manner.
                                                items contactable by the occupant must                  any seat place must provide that                         e. For longitudinal test(s) conducted
                                                be homogenous 7.3 inches (185 mm)                       support in a consistent manner                        in accordance with § 25.562(b)(2) and
                                                above and 7.9 inches (200 mm) below                     regardless of occupant stature. For                   these special conditions, the ATDs must
                                                the point (center of area) that is                      example, if an inflatable shoulder belt is            be positioned, clothed, and have lateral
                                                contacted by the 50th percentile male                   used to mitigate injury risk, then it must            instrumentation configured as follows:
                                                size ATD’s head during the longitudinal                 be demonstrated by inspection to bear
                                                test(s) conducted in accordance with                    against the range of occupants in a                      i. ATD positioning:
                                                paragraphs 1a, 1b, and 1c, of these                     similar manner before and after                          (1) Lower the ATD vertically into the
                                                special conditions. Otherwise,                          inflation. Likewise, the means of                     seat while simultaneously (see Figure 2
                                                additional head-injury criteria (HIC)                   limiting lower-leg flail must be                      for illustration):




                                                   (a) Aligning the midsagittal plane (a                   (c) Keeping the upper legs nearly                  respect to the torso. Position the Hybrid-
                                                vertical plane through the midline of the               horizontal by supporting them just                    II ATD hands on top of its upper legs.
                                                body; dividing the body into right and                  behind the knees.                                        (d) Position the feet such that the
                                                left halves) with approximately the                        (2) Once all lifting devices have been             centerlines of the lower legs are
                                                middle of the seat place.                               removed from the ATD:                                 approximately parallel to a lateral
                                                   (b) Applying a horizontal x-axis                        Rock it slightly to settle it in the seat.         vertical plane (in the aircraft coordinate
                                                direction (in the ATD coordinate                           (a) Separate the knees by about 4                  system).
                                                system) force of about 20 lbs. (89 N) to                inches (100 mm).                                         ii. ATD clothing: Clothe each ATD in
                                                the torso at approximately the                             (b) Set the ES–2re’s head at                       form-fitting, mid-calf-length (minimum)
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                intersection of the midsagittal plane and               approximately the midpoint of the                     pants and shoes (size 11E) weighing
                                                the bottom rib of the ES–2re or lower                   available range of z-axis rotation (to                about 2.5 lbs. (1.1 Kg) total. The color
                                                sternum of the Hybrid-II at the                         align the head and torso midsagittal                  of the clothing should be in contrast to
                                                midsagittal plane, to compress the seat                 planes).                                              the color of the restraint system. The
                                                back cushion.                                              (c) Position the ES–2re’s arms at the              ES–2re jacket is sufficient for torso
                                                                                                        joint’s mechanical detent that puts them              clothing, although a form-fitting shirt
                                                                                                                                                                                                           ER10AP18.006</GPH>




                                                                                                        at approximately a 40 degree angle with               may be used in addition if desired.


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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                        15309

                                                   iii. ES–2re ATD lateral                                 ii. The upper-neck compression force                  7. Deployment of the airbag system
                                                instrumentation: The rib-module linear                  at the O.C. location must be less than                must not introduce injury mechanisms
                                                slides are directional, i.e., deflection                405 lbs. (1,800 N).                                   to the seated occupant or result in
                                                occurs in either a positive or negative                    iii. The upper-neck bending torque                 injuries that could impede rapid egress.
                                                ATD y-axis direction. The modules                       about the ATD x-axis at the O.C.                      This assessment should include an
                                                must be installed such that the moving                  location must be less than 1,018 in lbs.              occupant whose belt is loosely fastened.
                                                end of the rib module is toward the                     (115 Nm).
                                                                                                           iv. The upper-neck resultant shear                    8. It must be shown that inadvertent
                                                front of the aircraft. The three
                                                                                                        force at the O.C. location must be less               deployment of the airbag system during
                                                abdominal-force sensors must be
                                                installed such that they are on the side                than 186 lbs. (825 N).                                the most critical part of the flight, will
                                                of the ATD toward the front of the                         g. Occupant (ES–2re ATD) retention:                either meet the requirement of
                                                aircraft.                                               The pelvic restraint must remain on the               § 25.1309(b) or not cause a hazard to the
                                                   f. The combined horizontal/vertical                  ES–2re ATD’s pelvis during the impact                 airplane or its occupants.
                                                test, required by § 25.562(b)(1) and these              and rebound phases of the test. The                      9. It must be shown that the airbag
                                                special conditions, must be conducted                   upper-torso restraint straps (if present)             system will not impede rapid egress of
                                                with a Hybrid II ATD (49 CFR part 572,                  must remain on the ATD’s shoulder                     occupants 10 seconds after airbag
                                                subpart B, as specified in § 25.562), or                during the impact.                                    deployment.
                                                equivalent, occupying each seat                            h. Occupant (ES–2re ATD) support:
                                                                                                           i. Pelvis excursion: The load-bearing                 10. The airbag systems must be
                                                position.
                                                                                                        portion of the bottom of the ATD pelvis               protected from lightning and high-
                                                   g. Restraint systems:
                                                                                                        must not translate beyond the edges of                intensity radiated fields (HIRF). The
                                                   i. If inflatable restraint systems are
                                                                                                        its seat’s bottom seat-cushion                        threats to the airplane specified in
                                                used, they must be active during all
                                                dynamic tests conducted to show                         supporting structure.                                 existing regulations regarding lightning,
                                                                                                           ii. Upper-torso support: The lateral               § 25.1316, and HIRF, § 25.1317, are
                                                compliance with § 25.562.
                                                                                                        flexion of the ATD torso must not                     incorporated by reference for the
                                                   ii. The design and installation of seat-
                                                                                                        exceed 40 degrees from the normal                     purpose of measuring lightning and
                                                belt buckles must prevent unbuckling
                                                                                                        upright position during the impact.                   HIRF protection.
                                                due to applied inertial forces or impact                   3. For seats with an airbag system,
                                                of the hands/arms of the occupant                       show that the airbag system will deploy                  11. The airbag system must function
                                                during an emergency landing.                            and provide protection under crash                    properly after loss of normal aircraft
                                                   2. Additional performance measures                   conditions where it is necessary to                   electrical power, and after a transverse
                                                applicable to tests and rational analysis               prevent serious injury. The means of                  separation of the fuselage at the most
                                                conducted to show compliance with                       protection must take into consideration               critical location. A separation at the
                                                §§ 25.562 and 25.785 for side-facing                    a range of stature from a 2-year-old child            location of the airbag systems does not
                                                seats:                                                  to 95th percentile male. The airbag                   have to be considered.
                                                   a. Body-to-body contact: Contact                     system must provide a consistent
                                                between the head, pelvis, torso, or                                                                              12. It must be shown that the airbag
                                                                                                        approach to energy absorption                         system will not release hazardous
                                                shoulder area of one ATD with the                       throughout that range of occupants.
                                                adjacent-seated ATD’s head, pelvis,                                                                           quantities of gas or particulate matter
                                                                                                        When the seat systems include airbag                  into the cabin.
                                                torso, or shoulder area is not allowed.                 systems, the systems must be included
                                                Contact during rebound is allowed.                      in each of the certification tests as they               13. The airbag system installations
                                                   b. Thoracic: The deflection of any of                would be installed in the airplane. In                must be protected from the effects of fire
                                                the ES–2re ATD upper, middle, and                       addition, the following situations must               such that no hazard to occupants will
                                                lower ribs must not exceed 1.73 inches                  be considered:                                        result.
                                                (44 mm). Data must be processed as                         a. The seat occupant is holding an                    14. A means must be available for a
                                                defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety                 infant.                                               crew member to verify the integrity of
                                                Standards (FMVSS) 571.214.                                 b. The seat occupant is a pregnant                 the airbag activation system prior to
                                                   c. Abdominal: The sum of the                         woman.                                                each flight or it must be demonstrated
                                                measured ES–2re ATD front, middle,                         4. The airbag systems must provide
                                                and rear abdominal forces must not                                                                            to reliably operate between inspection
                                                                                                        adequate protection for each occupant                 intervals. The FAA considers that the
                                                exceed 562 lbs. (2,500 N). Data must be                 regardless of the number of occupants of
                                                processed as defined in FMVSS                                                                                 loss of the airbag system deployment
                                                                                                        the seat assembly, considering that
                                                571.214.                                                                                                      function alone (i.e., independent of the
                                                                                                        unoccupied seats may have an active
                                                   d. Pelvic: The pubic symphysis force                 airbag system.                                        conditional event that requires the
                                                measured by the ES–2re ATD must not                        5. The design must prevent the airbag              airbag system deployment) is a major-
                                                exceed 1,350 lbs. (6,000 N). Data must                  systems from being incorrectly installed,             failure condition.
                                                be processed as defined in FMVSS                        such that the airbag systems would not                   15. The inflatable material may not
                                                571.214.                                                properly deploy. Alternatively, it must               have an average burn rate of greater than
                                                   e. Leg: Axial rotation of the upper-leg              be shown that such deployment is not                  2.5 inches/minute when tested using the
                                                (femur) must be limited to 35 degrees in                hazardous to the occupant and will                    horizontal flammability test defined in
                                                either direction from the nominal seated                provide the required injury protection.               part 25, appendix F, part I, paragraph
                                                position.                                                  6. It must be shown that the airbag                (b)(5).
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                   f. Neck:                                             system is not susceptible to inadvertent
                                                   As measured by the ES–2re ATD and                    deployment as a result of wear and tear,                 16. The airbag system, once deployed,
                                                filtered at CFC 600 as defined in SAE                   or inertial loads resulting from in-flight            must not adversely affect the emergency
                                                J211:                                                   or ground maneuvers (including gusts                  lighting system (e.g., block floor
                                                   i. The upper-neck tension force at the               and hard landings), and other operating               proximity lights to the extent that the
                                                occipital condyle (O.C.) location must                  and environment conditions (vibrations,               lights no longer meet their intended
                                                be less than 405 lbs. (1,800 N).                        moisture, etc.) likely to occur in service.           function).


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                                                15310               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Issued in Des Moines, Washington.                     4148. It is also available on the internet            Comments
                                                Victor Wicklund,                                        at http://www.regulations.gov by
                                                Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy             searching for and locating Docket No.                   We gave the public the opportunity to
                                                and Innovation Division, Aircraft                       FAA–2017–1120.                                        participate in developing this final rule.
                                                Certification Service.                                                                                        The following presents the comments
                                                                                                        Examining the AD Docket                               received on the NPRM and the FAA’s
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–07278 Filed 4–9–18; 8:45 am]
                                                BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                    You may examine the AD docket on                    response to each comment.
                                                                                                        the internet at http://                               Request Clarification for FAA-
                                                                                                        www.regulations.gov by searching for                  Approved Replacement Instructions
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
                                                                                                        1120; or in person at Docket Operations                 Mark Mitcheson of NetJets Aviation
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                     requested specifics on ‘‘FAA-approved
                                                                                                        through Friday, except Federal holidays.              replacement instructions approved
                                                14 CFR Part 39                                          The AD docket contains this final rule,               specifically for this AD.’’ We infer he
                                                [Docket No. FAA–2017–1120; Product                      the regulatory evaluation, any                        wants clarification of the intent of this
                                                Identifier 2017–CE–030–AD; Amendment                    comments received, and other                          statement.
                                                39–19244; AD 2018–07–13]                                information. The address for Docket                     We agree that the language quoted by
                                                                                                        Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is                   the commenter and used in the NPRM
                                                RIN 2120–AA64
                                                                                                        U.S. Department of Transportation,                    was confusing. We intended to direct
                                                Airworthiness Directives; Textron                       Docket Operations, M–30, West                         those responsible for complying with
                                                Aviation Inc. Airplanes                                 Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,                  the requirements of the AD to the type
                                                                                                        1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,                            certificate holder, in this case Textron
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               Washington, DC 20590.                                 Aviation Inc., to obtain the replacement
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: CONTACT                      instructions (i.e., maintenance manuals)
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                     ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:                                 specific to the applicable airplane
                                                                                                          • For the Model 510: David Enns,                    models affected by this AD.
                                                SUMMARY:   We are adopting a new                        Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO
                                                airworthiness directive (AD) for certain                                                                        We modified in this AD the language
                                                                                                        Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room
                                                Textron Aviation Inc. Models 510, 680,                                                                        quoted by the commenter to more
                                                                                                        100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone:
                                                and 680A airplanes equipped with                                                                              accurately reflect our intent.
                                                                                                        316–946–4147; fax: 913–946–4107;
                                                certain part number brake assemblies.                   email: david.enns@faa.gov; or                         Request Parts Installation Prohibition
                                                This AD was prompted by a report that                     • For the Models 680 and 680A:
                                                brake pad wear indicator pins were set                  Adam Hein, Aerospace Engineer,                           Mark Mitcheson requested whether
                                                incorrectly, which could lead to brake                  Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801                         the AD should prohibit the installation
                                                pad wear beyond the acceptable limits                   Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita,                      of the affected parts.
                                                without indication. This AD requires                    Kansas 67209; phone: 316–946–4116;                       We partially agree. We agree operators
                                                inspection of the brake pad wear                        fax: 316–946–4107; email: adam.hein@                  should avoid installing the affected part
                                                indicator pins and replacement of the                   faa.gov.                                              because parts that do not meet type
                                                brake assembly if any pin is set                                                                              design could introduce the unsafe
                                                incorrectly. We are issuing this AD to                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                              condition onto the airplane. However,
                                                address the unsafe condition on these                   Discussion                                            we disagree with adding a specific
                                                products.                                                                                                     requirement to the AD prohibiting the
                                                                                                           We issued a notice of proposed
                                                DATES:   This AD is effective May 15,                   rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR                     installation of the affected part. This AD
                                                2018.                                                   part 39 by adding an AD that would                    requires inspection of the installed
                                                  The Director of the Federal Register                  apply to certain Textron Aviation Inc.                affected parts, and, if an affected part is
                                                approved the incorporation by reference                 (Textron) Models 510, 680, and 680A                   installed, the airplane will immediately
                                                of certain publications listed in this AD               airplanes equipped with brake                         be subject to the requirements of this
                                                as of May 15, 2018.                                     assemblies, part numbers (P/Ns) 2–                    AD.
                                                ADDRESSES: For service information                      1706–1 and 2–1675–1, with certain                     Conclusion
                                                identified in this final rule, contact                  serial numbers. The NPRM published in
                                                Textron Aviation Inc., One Cessna                       the Federal Register on December 11,                     We reviewed the relevant data,
                                                Boulevard, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita,                      2017 (82 FR 58140). The NPRM was                      considered the comments received, and
                                                Kansas 67277; phone: 316–517–6215;                      prompted by a report that brake pad                   determined that air safety and the
                                                email: citationpubs@txtav.com; internet:                wear indicator pins were set incorrectly,             public interest require adopting this
                                                https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/                    which could lead to brake pad wear                    final rule with the change described
                                                csupport/newlogin.jsp; or UTC                           beyond the acceptable limits without                  previously and minor editorial changes.
                                                Aerospace Systems, Goodrich                             indication. Brakes overhauled by UTC                  We have determined that these changes:
                                                Corporation, 101 Waco Street, P.O. Box                  may have wear indicator pins set longer                  • Are consistent with the intent that
                                                340, Troy, Ohio 45373; phone: 937–                      than specified. UTC discovered this                   was proposed in the NPRM for
                                                339–3811; email: awb.techpubs@                          condition during their inspection of                  addressing the unsafe condition; and
                                                utas.utc.com; internet: https://                        incoming brakes. This condition, if not
                                                                                                                                                                 • Do not add any additional burden
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                www.customers.utcaero                                   corrected, could result in brake pad
                                                spacesystems.com/. You may view this                    wear beyond the acceptable limits                     upon the public than was already
                                                service information at the FAA, Policy                  without indication and consequent loss                proposed in the NPRM.
                                                and Innovation Division, 901 Locust,                    of braking ability, which could lead to                  We also determined that these
                                                Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For                        a runway excursion. We are issuing this               changes will not increase the economic
                                                information on the availability of this                 AD to address the unsafe condition on                 burden on any operator or increase the
                                                material at the FAA, call (816) 329–                    these products.                                       scope of this final rule.


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Document Created: 2018-04-09 23:51:46
Document Modified: 2018-04-09 23:51:46
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal special conditions; request for comments.
DatesThis action is effective on Textron Aviation Inc. on April 10, 2018. Send comments on or before May 25, 2018.
ContactAlan Sinclair, FAA, Airframe and Cabin Safety Section, AIR-675, Transport Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification Service, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, Washington 98198-6547, telephone 206-231-3215, email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 15304 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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