83_FR_3077 83 FR 3062 - Special Conditions: Preferred Improvements, LLC, Boeing Model DC3C Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

83 FR 3062 - Special Conditions: Preferred Improvements, LLC, Boeing Model DC3C Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 15 (January 23, 2018)

Page Range3062-3064
FR Document2018-01102

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model DC3C airplanes as modified by Preferred Improvements, LLC. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is rechargeable lithium ion backup battery packs installed on the airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3062-3064]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01102]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0035; Special Conditions No. 25-714-SC]


Special Conditions: Preferred Improvements, LLC, Boeing Model 
DC3C Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model DC3C 
airplanes as modified by Preferred Improvements, LLC. These airplanes 
will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state 
of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport 
category airplanes. This design feature is rechargeable lithium ion 
backup battery packs installed on the airplanes. The applicable 
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate

[[Page 3063]]

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 Preferred Improvements, LLC, on 
January 23, 2018. Send your comments by March 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2018-0035 
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: Nazih Khaouly, Airplane & Flight Crew 
Interface Section, AIR-671, Transport Standards Branch, Policy & 
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-2432; facsimile (425) 227-1320; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected 
airplanes.
    In addition, 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, 
finds it unnecessary to delay the effective date, and finds good cause 
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 February 1, 2017, Preferred Improvements, LLC, applied for a 
supplemental type certificate to install a Saab Grintek Impi II 
tracking system on Boeing Model DC3C airplanes. The tracking system 
sends altitude and speed information to a ground station via a modem, 
which contains a rechargeable lithium ion battery.
    The Boeing Model DC3C airplane is a narrow-body transport category 
airplane powered by twin-turbine/piston wing-mounted engines. The 
airplane has a maximum takeoff weight of 26,900 pounds with seating for 
2 crewmembers and 32 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Preferred Improvements, LLC, must show that the Boeing 
Model DC3C airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the applicable 
provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A669, or 
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for these airplanes, as modified by 
Preferred Improvements, LLC, 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 models for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other models included on the same type 
certificates to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
these special conditions would also apply to the other models under 
Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, Boeing Model DC3C airplanes, as modified by Preferred 
Improvements, LLC, must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission 
requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the noise certification 
requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    Boeing Model DC3C airplanes, as modified by Preferred Improvements, 
LLC, will incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature: 
airplane tracking system with a modem containing a rechargeable lithium 
ion battery.
    The battery system consists of the battery, battery charger, and 
any protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or hardware inside 
or outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where necessary) and 
packaging. For the purpose of these special conditions, a battery and 
battery system are referred to as a battery.

Discussion

    Rechargeable lithium batteries are considered to be a novel or 
unusual design feature in transport category airplanes, with respect to 
the requirements in Sec.  25.1353. This type of battery has certain 
failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that differ 
significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid 
rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on transport 
category airplanes. These batteries introduce higher energy levels into 
airplane systems through new chemical compositions in various battery-
cell sizes and construction. Interconnection of these cells in battery 
packs introduces failure modes that require unique design 
considerations, such as provisions for thermal management.

[[Page 3064]]

    Special Condition 1 requires that each individual cell within a 
rechargeable lithium battery be designed to maintain safe temperatures 
and pressures. Special Condition 2 addresses these same issues but for 
the entire battery. Special Condition 2 requires the battery be 
designed to prevent propagation of a thermal event, such as self-
sustained, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure from one 
cell to adjacent cells.
    Special Conditions 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the cells 
and battery are designed to eliminate the potential for uncontrollable 
failures. However, a certain number of failures will occur due to 
various factors beyond the control of the designer. Therefore, other 
special conditions are intended to protect the airplane and its 
occupants if failure occurs.
    Special Conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-explanatory.
    Special Condition 4 clarifies that the flammable fluid fire-
protection requirements of Sec.  25.863 apply to rechargeable lithium 
battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of the 
airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from airplane 
systems. Rechargeable lithium batteries contain electrolyte that is a 
flammable fluid.
    Special Condition 5 requires each rechargeable lithium battery 
installation to not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, 
equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may 
escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure 
condition. Special Condition 6 requires each rechargeable lithium 
battery installation to have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect 
on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat 
it can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. The 
means of meeting special conditions 5 and 6 may be the same, but they 
are independent requirements addressing different hazards. Special 
Condition 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases, whereas Special 
Condition 6 addresses heat.
    Special Condition 9 requires rechargeable lithium batteries to have 
``automatic'' means due to the fast acting nature of lithium battery 
chemical reactions. Manual intervention would not be timely or 
effective in mitigating the hazards associated with these batteries.
    These conditions apply to all rechargeable lithium battery 
installations in lieu of Sec.  25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at amendment 
25-123, or Sec.  25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments. These 
regulations will remain in effect for other battery installations on 
these airplanes.
    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 
Boeing Model DC3C airplanes as modified by Preferred Improvements, LLC. 
Should Preferred Improvements, LLC, apply at a later date for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on 
Type Certificate No. A699 to incorporate the same novel or unusual 
design feature, these special conditions would apply to those models as 
well.

Conclusion

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

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    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 for Boeing Model DC3C airplanes as 
modified by Preferred Improvements, LLC.

Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

    In lieu of Sec.  25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at amendment 25-123, or 
Sec.  25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments, each 
rechargeable lithium battery installation must:
    1. Be designed to maintain safe cell temperatures and pressures 
under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire and 
explosion.
    2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining, 
uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure, and automatically 
control the charge rate of each cell to protect against adverse 
operating conditions, such as cell imbalance, back charging, 
overcharging and overheating.
    3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, either in normal operation or 
as a result of its failure that may accumulate in hazardous quantities 
within the airplane.
    4. Meet the requirements of Sec.  25.863.
    5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment, 
or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in 
such a way as to cause a major or more-severe failure condition.
    6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane 
structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat it can 
generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells.
    7. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the flight 
crew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane.
    8. If its function is required for safe operation of the airplane, 
have a monitoring and warning feature that alerts the flight crew when 
its charge state falls below acceptable levels.
    9. Have a means to automatically disconnect from its charging 
source in the event of an over-temperature condition, cell failure or 
battery failure.

    Note:  A battery system consists of the battery, battery charger 
and any protective, monitoring and alerting circuitry or hardware 
inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where 
necessary) and packaging. For the purpose of this special condition, 
a battery and battery system are referred to as a battery.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy & Innovation Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01102 Filed 1-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                              3062              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              prevented by circumstances beyond his                   continuation of coverage. If an                        that the request is approved by the
                                              or her control from providing timely                    individual is removed from an                          employing office for enrollees who pay
                                              documentation.                                          enrollment pursuant to paragraph (e) or                premiums monthly.
                                                 (2) Appropriate documentation                        (f) of this section, the individual may be                (3) The family member’s removal
                                              includes, but is not limited to, copies of              eligible for a 31-day temporary                        under this paragraph (h) is considered a
                                              birth certificates, marriage certificates,              extension of coverage, conversion and/                 cancellation under § 890.304(d) and
                                              and, if applicable, other proof including               or temporary continuation of coverage                  removed family members are not
                                              that the individual lives with the                      in accordance with § 890.401 and                       eligible for temporary extension of
                                              enrollee and that the enrollee is the                   subparts H and K of this part. Any                     coverage and conversion under
                                              individual’s primary source of financial                opportunity to enroll under § 890.401                  § 890.401 or temporary continuation of
                                              support.                                                and subparts H and K shall not extend                  coverage under § 809.1103.
                                                 (3) The effective date of the removal                beyond the date that opportunity would                    (4) If an eligible family member is
                                              shall be prospective unless the record                  have ended if the individual had been                  removed under this paragraph (h), he or
                                              shows that the enrollee or the removed                  removed on the date of loss of                         she may only regain coverage under the
                                              individual has committed fraud or made                  eligibility.                                           applicable self plus one or self and
                                              an intentional misrepresentation of                        (1) Example. An enrollee and his                    family enrollment if requested by the
                                              material fact as prohibited by the terms                spouse divorce on May 4, 2017. The                     enrollee during the annual open season
                                              of the plan. If fraud or intentional                    enrollee does not remove the former                    or within 60 days of the family member
                                              misrepresentation of material fact is                   spouse from the enrollee’s self and                    losing other health insurance coverage.
                                              found, the effective date of the removal                family enrollment, so the former spouse                The enrollee must also provide written
                                              is the date of loss of eligibility.                     is receiving coverage but is not eligible.             consent to reinstatement of coverage
                                                 (4) The enrollee or the removed                      In this example, the former spouse is                  from the family member and
                                              individual may request reconsideration                  not eligible to receive an annuity listed              demonstrate eligibility of the spouse or
                                              of an employing office or OPM’s                         in § 890.805(2). If the employing office               child as a family member to the
                                              decision to remove the individual from                  later discovers the divorce, and removes               employing office.
                                              the enrollment within 60 days of an                     the spouse from the enrollment on June                    (5) If an employing office approves a
                                              employing office or OPM’s initial                       20, 2018, the former spouse is not                     request for removal, the employing
                                              decision. The enrollee or the removed                   eligible for a 31-day extension of                     office must notify the enrollee and the
                                              individual may request reconsideration                  coverage, conversion and/or temporary                  carrier of the removal immediately. For
                                              of an employing office decision to the                  continuation of coverage because the                   removals under paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of
                                              employing office or an OPM decision to                  regulatory window for election of 60                   this section, the employing office must
                                              OPM. The employing office or OPM, as                    days outlined in § 890.805(1) has                      also immediately notify the child of the
                                              applicable, must notify the carrier when                passed. The sixty-day window began on                  removal using the last known contact
                                              a request for reconsideration of the                    the final date of the divorce, May 4,                  provided by the enrollee.
                                              decision to remove the individual from                  2017 and ended on July 3, 2017.                        [FR Doc. 2018–01174 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am]
                                              the enrollment is made. The time limit                     (2) [Reserved]                                      BILLING CODE 6325–63–P
                                              for filing may be extended if the                          (h) Removal from enrollment: Eligible
                                              enrollee or the removed individual                      family members. (1) An eligible family
                                              shows that he or she was not notified of                member may be removed from a self
                                              the time limit and was not otherwise                    plus one or a self and family enrollment               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                              aware of it, or that he or she was                      if a request is submitted to the enrollee’s            Federal Aviation Administration
                                              prevented by circumstances beyond his                   employing office for approval at any
                                              or her control from making the request                  time during the plan year in the                       14 CFR Part 25
                                              within the time limit. The request for                  following circumstances:
                                              reconsideration must be made in writing                    (i) In the case of a spouse, if the                 [Docket No. FAA–2018–0035; Special
                                              and must include the enrollee’s name,                   enrollee and his or her spouse provide                 Conditions No. 25–714–SC]
                                              address, Social Security Number or                      a notarized request for removal.
                                                                                                         (ii) In the case of a child who has                 Special Conditions: Preferred
                                              other personal identification number,
                                                                                                      reached the age of majority in the                     Improvements, LLC, Boeing Model
                                              the individual’s name, the name of the
                                                                                                      child’s state of residence (the enrollee’s             DC3C Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium
                                              enrollee’s carrier, reason(s) for the
                                                                                                      state of residence if the child’s is not               Batteries
                                              request, and, if applicable, the enrollee’s
                                              retirement claim number.                                known), if the enrollee provides proof                 AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                 (5) The employing office or OPM, as                  that the child is no longer his or her                 Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                              applicable, must issue a written notice                 dependent as described under                           ACTION: Final special conditions; request
                                              of its final decision to the enrollee, and              § 890.302(b). The enrollee shall also                  for comments.
                                              notify the carrier of the decision within               provide the last known contact
                                              30 days of receipt of the request for                   information for the child.                             SUMMARY:   These special conditions are
                                              reconsideration. The notice must fully                     (iii) In the case of a child who has                issued for Boeing Model DC3C airplanes
                                              set forth the findings and conclusions                  reached the age of majority in the                     as modified by Preferred Improvements,
                                              on which the decision was based.                        child’s state of residence, if the child               LLC. These airplanes will have a novel
                                                 (6) If an enrollee or the removed                    provides a notarized request for removal               or unusual design feature when
                                              individual provides acceptable proof of                 to the employing office.                               compared to the state of technology
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                                              eligibility of an individual subsequent                    (2) For removals under paragraph                    envisioned in the airworthiness
                                              to removal, coverage under the                          (h)(1) of this section the effective date is           standards for transport category
                                              enrollment shall be reinstated                          the first day of the third pay period                  airplanes. This design feature is
                                              retroactively so that there is no gap in                following the date the request is                      rechargeable lithium ion backup battery
                                              coverage, as appropriate.                               approved by the employing office for                   packs installed on the airplanes. The
                                                 (g) Temporary extension of coverage,                 employees who pay bi-weekly and the                    applicable airworthiness regulations do
                                              conversion and/or temporary                             second pay period following the date                   not contain adequate or appropriate


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                          3063

                                              safety standards for this design feature.               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      The FAA                Preferred Improvements, LLC, because
                                              These special conditions contain the                    has determined that notice of, and                     of a novel or unusual design feature,
                                              additional safety standards that the                    opportunity for prior public comment                   special conditions are prescribed under
                                              Administrator considers necessary to                    on, these special conditions is                        the provisions of § 21.16.
                                              establish a level of safety equivalent to               impracticable because these procedures                   Special conditions are initially
                                              that established by the existing                        would significantly delay issuance of                  applicable to the models for which they
                                              airworthiness standards.                                the design approval and thus delivery of               are issued. Should the applicant apply
                                              DATES: This action is effective on                      the affected airplanes.                                for a supplemental type certificate to
                                              Preferred Improvements, LLC, on                           In addition, the substance of these                  modify any other models included on
                                              January 23, 2018. Send your comments                    special conditions has been published                  the same type certificates to incorporate
                                              by March 9, 2018.                                       in the Federal Register for public                     the same novel or unusual design
                                              ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
                                                                                                      comment in several prior instances with                feature, these special conditions would
                                              by docket number FAA–2018–0035                          no substantive comments received. The                  also apply to the other models under
                                              using any of the following methods:                     FAA, therefore, finds it unnecessary to                § 21.101.
                                                • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                  delay the effective date, and finds good                 In addition to the applicable
                                              http://www.regulations.gov/and follow                   cause for making these special                         airworthiness regulations and special
                                              the online instructions for sending your                conditions effective upon publication in               conditions, Boeing Model DC3C
                                              comments electronically.                                the Federal Register.                                  airplanes, as modified by Preferred
                                                • Mail: Send comments to Docket                       Comments Invited                                       Improvements, LLC, must comply with
                                              Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                                                                           the fuel vent and exhaust emission
                                                                                                        We invite interested people to take                  requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the
                                              Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                                                                      part in this rulemaking by sending                     noise certification requirements of 14
                                              Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West
                                                                                                      written comments, data, or views. The                  CFR part 36.
                                              Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
                                                                                                      most helpful comments reference a
                                              20590–0001.                                                                                                      The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                      specific portion of the special
                                                                                                                                                             defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
                                              comments to Docket Operations in                        conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                                                                                                                             with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                              Room W12–140 of the West Building                       recommended change, and include
                                                                                                                                                             the type certification basis under
                                              Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                         supporting data.
                                                                                                                                                             § 21.101.
                                                                                                        We will consider all comments we
                                              Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9
                                                                                                      receive by the closing date for                        Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                              a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                                                                                      comments. We may change these special
                                              Friday, except Federal holidays.                                                                                 Boeing Model DC3C airplanes, as
                                                • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                         conditions based on the comments we
                                                                                                                                                             modified by Preferred Improvements,
                                              Operations at 202–493–2251.                             receive.
                                                                                                                                                             LLC, will incorporate the following
                                                 Privacy: The FAA will post all                       Background                                             novel or unusual design feature:
                                              comments it receives, without change,                      On February 1, 2017, Preferred                      airplane tracking system with a modem
                                              to http://www.regulations.gov/,                         Improvements, LLC, applied for a                       containing a rechargeable lithium ion
                                              including any personal information the                  supplemental type certificate to install a             battery.
                                              commenter provides. Using the search                    Saab Grintek Impi II tracking system on                  The battery system consists of the
                                              function of the docket website, anyone                  Boeing Model DC3C airplanes. The                       battery, battery charger, and any
                                              can find and read the electronic form of                tracking system sends altitude and                     protective, monitoring, and alerting
                                              all comments received into any FAA                      speed information to a ground station                  circuitry or hardware inside or outside
                                              docket, including the name of the                       via a modem, which contains a                          of the battery. It also includes vents
                                              individual sending the comment (or                      rechargeable lithium ion battery.                      (where necessary) and packaging. For
                                              signing the comment for an association,                    The Boeing Model DC3C airplane is a                 the purpose of these special conditions,
                                              business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                     narrow-body transport category airplane                a battery and battery system are referred
                                              complete Privacy Act Statement can be                   powered by twin-turbine/piston wing-                   to as a battery.
                                              found in the Federal Register published                 mounted engines. The airplane has a
                                              on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478).                                                                         Discussion
                                                                                                      maximum takeoff weight of 26,900
                                                 Docket: Background documents or                      pounds with seating for 2 crewmembers                     Rechargeable lithium batteries are
                                              comments received may be read at                        and 32 passengers.                                     considered to be a novel or unusual
                                              http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.                                                                       design feature in transport category
                                              Follow the online instructions for                      Type Certification Basis                               airplanes, with respect to the
                                              accessing the docket or go to Docket                       Under the provisions of title 14, Code              requirements in § 25.1353. This type of
                                              Operations in Room W12–140 of the                       of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,                battery has certain failure, operational,
                                              West Building Ground Floor at 1200                      Preferred Improvements, LLC, must                      and maintenance characteristics that
                                              New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,                       show that the Boeing Model DC3C                        differ significantly from those of the
                                              DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                   airplanes, as changed, continue to meet                nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
                                              through Friday, except Federal holidays.                the applicable provisions of the                       rechargeable batteries currently
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        regulations listed in Type Certificate No.             approved for installation on transport
                                              Nazih Khaouly, Airplane & Flight Crew                   A669, or the applicable regulations in                 category airplanes. These batteries
                                              Interface Section, AIR–671, Transport                   effect on the date of application for the              introduce higher energy levels into
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              Standards Branch, Policy & Innovation                   change, except for earlier amendments                  airplane systems through new chemical
                                              Division, Aircraft Certification Service,               as agreed upon by the FAA.                             compositions in various battery-cell
                                              Federal Aviation Administration, 1601                      If the Administrator finds that the                 sizes and construction. Interconnection
                                              Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington                      applicable airworthiness regulations                   of these cells in battery packs introduces
                                              98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2432;                   (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                  failure modes that require unique design
                                              facsimile (425) 227–1320; email                         adequate or appropriate safety standards               considerations, such as provisions for
                                              Nazih.Khaouly@faa.gov.                                  for these airplanes, as modified by                    thermal management.


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                                              3064              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 Special Condition 1 requires that each               remain in effect for other battery                     hazardous quantities within the
                                              individual cell within a rechargeable                   installations on these airplanes.                      airplane.
                                              lithium battery be designed to maintain                   These special conditions contain the                    4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
                                              safe temperatures and pressures. Special                additional safety standards that the                      5. Not damage surrounding structure
                                              Condition 2 addresses these same issues                 Administrator considers necessary to                   or adjacent systems, equipment, or
                                              but for the entire battery. Special                     establish a level of safety equivalent to              electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
                                              Condition 2 requires the battery be                     that established by the existing                       gases that may escape in such a way as
                                              designed to prevent propagation of a                    airworthiness standards.                               to cause a major or more-severe failure
                                              thermal event, such as self-sustained,                                                                         condition.
                                              uncontrolled increases in temperature                   Applicability
                                                                                                                                                                6. Have provisions to prevent any
                                              or pressure from one cell to adjacent                      As discussed above, these special                   hazardous effect on airplane structure or
                                              cells.                                                  conditions are applicable to Boeing                    systems caused by the maximum
                                                 Special Conditions 1 and 2 are                       Model DC3C airplanes as modified by                    amount of heat it can generate due to
                                              intended to ensure that the cells and                   Preferred Improvements, LLC. Should                    any failure of it or its individual cells.
                                              battery are designed to eliminate the                   Preferred Improvements, LLC, apply at                     7. Have a failure sensing and warning
                                              potential for uncontrollable failures.                  a later date for a supplemental type                   system to alert the flight crew if its
                                              However, a certain number of failures                   certificate to modify any other model                  failure affects safe operation of the
                                              will occur due to various factors beyond                included on Type Certificate No. A699                  airplane.
                                              the control of the designer. Therefore,                 to incorporate the same novel or                          8. If its function is required for safe
                                              other special conditions are intended to                unusual design feature, these special                  operation of the airplane, have a
                                              protect the airplane and its occupants if               conditions would apply to those models                 monitoring and warning feature that
                                              failure occurs.                                         as well.                                               alerts the flight crew when its charge
                                                 Special Conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-                                                                    state falls below acceptable levels.
                                              explanatory.                                            Conclusion
                                                                                                                                                                9. Have a means to automatically
                                                 Special Condition 4 clarifies that the                 This action affects only a certain                   disconnect from its charging source in
                                              flammable fluid fire-protection                         novel or unusual design feature on one                 the event of an over-temperature
                                              requirements of § 25.863 apply to                       model of airplane. It is not a rule of                 condition, cell failure or battery failure.
                                              rechargeable lithium battery                            general applicability.
                                              installations. Section 25.863 is                                                                                 Note: A battery system consists of the
                                              applicable to areas of the airplane that                List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                     battery, battery charger and any protective,
                                              could be exposed to flammable fluid                                                                            monitoring and alerting circuitry or hardware
                                                                                                        Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                 inside or outside of the battery. It also
                                              leakage from airplane systems.                          and recordkeeping requirements.                        includes vents (where necessary) and
                                              Rechargeable lithium batteries contain                                                                         packaging. For the purpose of this special
                                              electrolyte that is a flammable fluid.                    The authority citation for these
                                                                                                      special conditions is as follows:                      condition, a battery and battery system are
                                                 Special Condition 5 requires each                                                                           referred to as a battery.
                                              rechargeable lithium battery installation                 Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,
                                              to not damage surrounding structure or                  44701, 44702, 44704.                                     Issued in Renton, Washington, on January
                                              adjacent systems, equipment, or                                                                                17, 2018.
                                                                                                      The Special Conditions
                                              electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or                                                                     Victor Wicklund,
                                              gases that may escape in such a way as                    Accordingly, pursuant to the                         Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy
                                              to cause a major or more severe failure                 authority delegated to me by the                       & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification
                                              condition. Special Condition 6 requires                 Administrator, the following special                   Service.
                                              each rechargeable lithium battery                       conditions are issued as part of the type              [FR Doc. 2018–01102 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am]
                                              installation to have provisions to                      certification basis for Boeing Model                   BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                              prevent any hazardous effect on                         DC3C airplanes as modified by Preferred
                                              airplane structure or systems caused by                 Improvements, LLC.
                                              the maximum amount of heat it can                       Rechargeable Lithium Battery                           DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                              generate due to any failure of it or its                Installations
                                              individual cells. The means of meeting                                                                         Federal Aviation Administration
                                              special conditions 5 and 6 may be the                      In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4)
                                              same, but they are independent                          at amendment 25–123, or § 25.1353(c)(1)                14 CFR Part 39
                                              requirements addressing different                       through (4) at earlier amendments, each                [Docket No. FAA–2018–0015; Product
                                              hazards. Special Condition 5 addresses                  rechargeable lithium battery installation              Identifier 2017–CE–045–AD; Amendment
                                              corrosive fluids and gases, whereas                     must:                                                  39–19158; AD 2018–02–05]
                                              Special Condition 6 addresses heat.                        1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
                                                                                                      temperatures and pressures under all                   RIN 2120–AA64
                                                 Special Condition 9 requires
                                              rechargeable lithium batteries to have                  foreseeable operating conditions to
                                                                                                                                                             Airworthiness Directives; Piper
                                              ‘‘automatic’’ means due to the fast                     prevent fire and explosion.
                                                                                                                                                             Aircraft, Inc.
                                              acting nature of lithium battery                           2. Be designed to prevent the
                                              chemical reactions. Manual intervention                 occurrence of self-sustaining,                         AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                              would not be timely or effective in                     uncontrollable increases in temperature                Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                              mitigating the hazards associated with                  or pressure, and automatically control                 ACTION: Final rule; request for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              these batteries.                                        the charge rate of each cell to protect                comments.
                                                 These conditions apply to all                        against adverse operating conditions,
                                              rechargeable lithium battery                            such as cell imbalance, back charging,                 SUMMARY:  We are adopting a new
                                              installations in lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1)                overcharging and overheating.                          airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
                                              through (4) at amendment 25–123, or                        3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,               Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA–28–140,
                                              § 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier                  either in normal operation or as a result              PA–28–150, PA–28–151, PA–28–160,
                                              amendments. These regulations will                      of its failure that may accumulate in                  PA–28–161, PA–28–180, PA–28–181,


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Document Created: 2018-01-23 01:08:52
Document Modified: 2018-01-23 01:08:52
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 Preferred Improvements, LLC, on January 23, 2018. Send your comments by March 9, 2018.
ContactNazih Khaouly, Airplane & Flight Crew Interface Section, AIR-671, Transport Standards Branch, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2432; facsimile (425) 227-1320; email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 3062 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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