83_FR_45206 83 FR 45034 - Special Conditions: The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747-8 Airplane, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats, With or Without Airbag Devices or 3-Point Restraints

83 FR 45034 - Special Conditions: The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747-8 Airplane, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats, With or Without Airbag Devices or 3-Point Restraints

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 172 (September 5, 2018)

Page Range45034-45037
FR Document2018-19216

These amended special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane. This amendment states that the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane oblique (side-facing) seats may be installed at an angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane centerline and may include a 3-point or airbag restraint system, or both, for occupant restraint and injury protection. Additionally, this amendment changes paragraphs 4 through 8 of the special conditions section. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features are oblique (side-facing) single- occupant seats equipped with or without airbag devices or 3-point restraints. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45034-45037]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19216]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0309; Special Conditions No. 25-594A-SC]


Special Conditions: The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747-8 
Airplane, Dynamic Test Requirements for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-
Facing) Seats, With or Without Airbag Devices or 3-Point Restraints

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Amended final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These amended special conditions are issued for the Boeing 
Model 747-8 airplane. This amendment states that the Boeing Model 747-8 
airplane oblique (side-facing) seats may be installed at an angle of 18 
to 45 degrees to the airplane centerline and may include a 3-point or 
airbag restraint system, or both, for occupant restraint and injury 
protection. Additionally, this amendment changes paragraphs 4 through 8 
of the special conditions section. This airplane will have novel or 
unusual design features when compared to the state of technology 
envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category 
airplanes. These design features are oblique (side-facing) single-
occupant seats equipped with or without airbag devices or 3-point 
restraints.
    The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special 
conditions contain the additional safety standards 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 Boeing on September 5, 2018. Send 
comments on or before October 22, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2015-0309 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,

[[Page 45035]]

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Shelden, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Section, AIR-675, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and 
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3214; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 
that 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 February 3, 2014, Boeing applied for an amendment to Type 
Certificate no. A20WE to allow installation of single-occupant, oblique 
(side-facing) seats with or without airbag devices or 3-point 
restraints in the Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes.
    Boeing requested special conditions to allow installation of 
oblique business-class passenger seats in the Boeing Model 747-8 
airplane. The seating configuration Boeing proposes in Certification 
Plan no. 15090, ``Installation of Business Class Zodiac Seats and 
Furniture for 747-8 TRX RC076,'' consists of Zodiac Cirrus III model 
oblique (side-facing), pod-style, business-class seats (with 
surrounding shells and front-row furniture) installed at an angle of up 
to 30 degrees to the airplane longitudinal centerline. These seats will 
include inflatable restraint (airbag) systems for occupant restraint 
and injury protection.
    On November 22, 2017, Boeing applied for a change to Type 
Certificate No. A20WE for the installation of oblique (side-facing) 
passenger seats and surrounding furniture in the Boeing Model 747-8 
airplane. These oblique (side-facing) seats may be installed at an 
angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane centerline and may include a 
3-point or airbag restraint system, or both, for occupant restraint and 
injury protection.
    The Boeing Model 747-8 airplane is a four-engine, transport 
category airplane with a maximum certified passenger capacity of 605, 
and a maximum takeoff weight of 987,000 lbs.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Boeing must show that the Model 747-8 airplane meets the 
applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate no. 
A20WE, or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of 
application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed 
upon by the FAA. The regulations listed in the type certificate are 
commonly referred to as the ``original type certification basis.'' The 
regulations listed in Type Certificate no. A20WE are as follows:
    14 CFR part 25, Amendments 25-1 through 25-120, with exceptions 
permitted by Sec.  21.101. In addition, the certification basis 
includes certain special conditions, exemptions, or later amended 
sections of the applicable part that are not relevant to these special 
conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes because 
of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under 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, or should any other model already included on 
the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same novel or 
unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to 
the other model under Sec.  21.101. In addition to the applicable 
airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the Boeing Model 747-
8 airplane 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

    The business-class seating configuration Boeing proposes is novel 
or unusual due to the seat installation at 30 degrees to the airplane 
centerline, the airbag-system installation, and the seat/occupant 
interface with the surrounding furniture that introduces occupant 
alignment and loading concerns. The proposed business-class seating 
configuration also is beyond the limits of current acceptable 
equivalent-level-of-safety findings. These oblique (side-facing) seats 
may be installed at an angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane 
centerline and may include a 3-point or airbag restraint system, or 
both, for occupant restraint and injury protection.
    The existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate 
safety standards for occupants of oblique-angled seats with airbag 
systems. To provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that 
afforded occupants of forward- and aft-facing seats, additional 
airworthiness standards, in the form of special conditions, are 
necessary. These special conditions supplement part 25 and, more 
specifically, supplement Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785. The requirements 
contained in these special conditions consist of both test conditions 
and injury pass/fail criteria.

Discussion

    The FAA has been conducting and sponsoring research on appropriate 
injury criteria for oblique (side-facing) seat installations. However, 
the FAA research program is not complete and we may update these 
criteria as we obtain further research results. To reflect current 
research findings, the FAA issued policy statement PS-ANM-25-03-R1 to 
update injury criteria for fully side facing seats, and the policy 
statement PS-AIR-25-27, to define injury criteria for oblique (side-
facing) seats.
    The proposed Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes business-class seat 
installation is novel such that the current Boeing Model 747-8 airplane 
certification basis does not adequately address protection of the 
occupant's neck and spine for seat configurations that are positioned 
at an angle greater than 18 degrees from the airplane centerline. These 
special conditions for oblique (side-facing) seat installations do not 
adequately address oblique seats, reflecting the current research 
results, with or without 3-point or airbag restraint systems. 
Therefore, Boeing's proposed configuration will require amended special 
conditions.
    The installation of passenger seats at angles of 18 to 45 degrees 
to the airplane centerline are unique due to the seat/

[[Page 45036]]

occupant interface with the surrounding furniture that introduces 
occupant alignment/loading concerns with or without the installation of 
a 3-point or airbag restraint system, or both. On-going research has 
invalidated previously released special conditions for oblique seat 
installations. These updated special conditions further address 
potential injuries to the occupant's neck and spine. As a result, this 
special condition replaces special condition 25-594-SC.
    FAA-sponsored research has found that an un-restrained flailing of 
the upper torso, even when the pelvis and torso are nearly aligned, can 
produce serious spinal and torso injuries. At lower impact severities, 
even with significant misalignment between the torso and pelvis, these 
injuries did not occur. Tests with an FAA H-III anthropomorphic test 
device (ATD) have identified a level of lumbar spinal tension 
corresponding to the no-injury impact severity. This level of tension 
is included as a limit in the special conditions. The spine tension 
limit selected is conservative with respect to other aviation injury 
criteria since it corresponds to a no-injury loading condition.
    As noted in the special conditions for each airbag restraint 
system, because an airbag restraint system is essentially a single use 
device, there is the potential that it could deploy under crash 
conditions that are not sufficiently severe as to require head injury 
protection from the airbag restraint system. Since an actual crash is 
frequently composed of a series of impacts before the airplane comes to 
rest, this could render the airbag restraint system useless if a larger 
impact follows the initial impact. This situation does not exist with 
energy absorbing pads or upper torso restraints, which tend to provide 
protection according to the severity of the impact. Therefore, the 
installation of the airbag restraint system should be such that the 
airbag restraint system will provide protection when it is required, 
and will not expend its protection when it is not needed.
    Because these airbag restraint systems may or may not activate 
during various crash conditions, the injury criteria listed in these 
special conditions and in Sec.  25.562 must be met in an event that is 
slightly below the activation level of the airbag restraint system. If 
an airbag restraint system is included with the oblique seats, the 
system must meet the requirements in one of the airbag (inflatable 
restraint) special conditions applicable to the Boeing Model 747-8 
airplane.
    These amended special conditions will provide head injury criteria, 
neck injury criteria, spine injury criteria, and body-to-wall contact 
criteria. They 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 
Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes. Should Boeing apply at a later date for a 
change to the type certificates to include another model incorporating 
the same novel or unusual design feature, or should any other model 
already included on the same type certificate be modified to 
incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special 
conditions would apply to the other model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.
    The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the 
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been 
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is 
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change 
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would 
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is 
imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment 
are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting 
these special conditions upon publication in the Federal Register. The 
FAA is requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views 
that may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities 
for comment described above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and 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 for the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane.

Side-Facing Seats Special Conditions

    In addition to the requirements of Sec.  25.562:
    1. Head Injury Criteria:
    Compliance with Sec.  25.562(c)(5) is required, except that, if the 
ATD has no apparent contact with the seat/structure but has contact 
with an airbag, a head-injury criterion (HIC) unlimited score in excess 
of 1000 is acceptable, provided the HIC15 score (calculated in 
accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for that contact is less than 700.
    2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact:
    If a seat is installed aft of structure (e.g., an interior wall or 
furnishing) that does not provide a homogenous contact surface for the 
expected range of occupants and yaw angles, then additional analysis 
and/or test(s) may be required to demonstrate that the injury criteria 
are met for the area that an occupant could contact. For example, if 
different yaw angles could result in different airbag performance, then 
additional analysis or separate test(s) may be necessary to evaluate 
performance.
    3. Neck Injury Criteria:
    The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing 
serious neck injury. The assessment of neck injury must be conducted 
with the airbag device activated, unless there is reason to also 
consider that the neck-injury potential would be higher for impacts 
below the airbag-device deployment threshold.
    a. The Nij (calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 
571.208) must be below 1.0, where Nij = Fz/
Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij 
critical values are:

    i. Fzc = 1,530 lb for tension
    ii. Fzc = 1,385 lb for compression
    iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion
    iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension

    b. In addition, peak Fz must be below 937 lb in tension 
and 899 lb in compression.
    c. Rotation of the head about its vertical axis, relative to the 
torso, is limited to 105 degrees in either direction from forward-
facing.
    d. The neck must not impact any surface that would produce 
concentrated loading on the neck.
    4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria:
    a. The lumbar spine tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1200 lb.
    b. Significant concentrated loading on the occupant's spine, in the 
area between the pelvis and shoulders during impact, including rebound, 
is not acceptable. During this type of contact, the interval for any 
rearward (X direction) acceleration exceeding 20g must be less than 3 
milliseconds as measured by the thoracic

[[Page 45037]]

instrumentation specified in 49 CFR part 572, subpart E filtered in 
accordance with SAE International (SAE) recommended practice J211/1, 
``Instrumentation for Impact Test--Part 1--Electronic 
Instrumentation.''
    c. The occupant must not interact with the armrest or other seat 
components in any manner significantly different than would be expected 
for a forward-facing seat installation.
    5. Pelvis Criteria:
    Any part of the load-bearing portion of the bottom of the ATD 
pelvis must not translate beyond the edges of the seat bottom seat-
cushion supporting structure.
    6. Femur Criteria:
    Axial rotation of the upper leg (about the z-axis of the femur per 
SAE Recommended Practice J211/1) must be limited to 35 degrees from the 
nominal seated position. Evaluation during rebound does not need to be 
considered.
    7. ATD and Test Conditions:
    Longitudinal tests conducted to measure the injury criteria above 
must be performed with the FAA Hybrid III ATD, as described in SAE 
1999-01-1609, ``A Lumbar Spine Modification to the Hybrid III ATD for 
Aircraft Seat Tests.'' The tests must be conducted with an undeformed 
floor, at the most-critical yaw cases for injury and with all lateral 
structural supports (e.g. armrests or walls) installed.
    Note: Boeing must demonstrate that the installation of seats via 
plinths or pallets meets all applicable requirements. Compliance with 
the guidance contained in policy memorandum PS-ANM-100-2000-00123, 
``Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance with Seat Dynamic Testing for 
Plinths and Pallets,'' dated February 2, 2000, is acceptable to the 
FAA.
    8. Inflatable Airbag Restraint Systems Special Conditions:
    If inflatable airbag restraint systems are installed, the airbag 
systems must meet the requirements in one of the airbag (inflatable 
restraint) special conditions applicable to the Boeing Model 747-8 
airplane.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 22, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19216 Filed 9-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

45034 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations document by which a Federal agency and type of program. FOA amendment changes paragraphs 4 makes know its intentions to award announcements can be found at through 8 of the special conditions discretionary grants or cooperative Grants.gov in the Search Grants tab and section. This airplane will have novel or agreements, usually as a result of on the funding agency’s or program’s unusual design features when compared competition for funds. FOA website. to the state of technology envisioned in announcements may be known as * * * * * the airworthiness standards for program announcements, notices of transport category airplanes. These funding availability, solicitations, or Subpart B—Revolving Loan Program design features are oblique (side-facing) other names depending on the agency Grants single-occupant seats equipped with or and type of program. FOA without airbag devices or 3-point announcements can be found at ■ 18. Revise § 1783.6 to read as follows: restraints. www.Grants.gov in the Search Grants § 1783.6 When will applications for grants The applicable airworthiness tab and on the funding agency’s or be accepted? regulations do not contain adequate or program’s website. A FOA will be posted to appropriate safety standards for these * * * * * www.Grants.gov in fiscal years that design features. These special ■ 14. Revise § 1776.6 to read as follows: funds are available for this program. The conditions contain the additional safety FOA will establish the period during standards the Administrator considers § 1776.6 Funding availability. which applications for such funds may necessary to establish a level of safety A FOA will be posted to be submitted for consideration. equivalent to that established by the www.Grants.gov in fiscal years that existing airworthiness standards. ■ 19. Amend § 1783.8 by revising the funds are available for this program. The second sentence of paragraph (c) to read DATES: This action is effective on Boeing FOA will establish the period during as follows: on September 5, 2018. Send comments which applications for such funds may on or before October 22, 2018. be submitted for consideration. § 1783.8 What are the acceptable methods ADDRESSES: Send comments identified ■ 15. Amend § 1776.8 by revising for submitting applications? by Docket No. FAA–2015–0309 using paragraph (d) to read as follows: * * * * * any of the following methods: (c) * * * Applicants should refer to • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to § 1776.8 Methods for submitting the most recent FOA for notice of any http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow applications. such changes. In the event of any the online instructions for sending your * * * * * discrepancy, the information contained comments electronically. (d) The methods of submitting in the FOA must be followed. * * * • Mail: Send comments to Docket applications may be changed from time Dated: August 27, 2018. Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of to reflect changes in addresses and Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Christopher A. McLean, electronic submission procedures. The Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. applicant should refer to the most recent Building Ground Floor, Washington, FOA for notice of any such changes. In [FR Doc. 2018–19199 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] DC, 20590–0001. the event of any discrepancy, the most BILLING CODE 3410–15–P • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take recent FOA must be followed. comments to Docket Operations in Room W12–140 of the West Building PART 1783—REVOLVING FUNDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey FINANCING WATER AND Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 WASTEWATER PROJECTS Federal Aviation Administration a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through (REVOLVING FUND PROGRAM) Friday, except Federal holidays. 14 CFR Part 25 ■ 16. The authority citation for part • Fax: Fax comments to Docket 1783 continues to read as follows: [Docket No. FAA–2015–0309; Special Operations at 202–493–2251. Conditions No. 25–594A–SC] Privacy: The FAA will post all Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(2)(B). comments it receives, without change, Special Conditions: The Boeing to http://www.regulations.gov/, Subpart A—General Company (Boeing) Model 747–8 including any personal information the Airplane, Dynamic Test Requirements commenter provides. Using the search ■ 17. Amend § 1783.3 by adding a for Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side- definition for ‘‘Funding opportunity function of the docket website, anyone Facing) Seats, With or Without Airbag can find and read the electronic form of announcement’’ in alphabetical order to Devices or 3-Point Restraints read as follows: all comments received into any FAA AGENCY: Federal Aviation docket, including the name of the § 1783.3 What definitions are used in this Administration (FAA), DOT. individual sending the comment (or regulation? signing the comment for an association, ACTION: Amended final special * * * * * conditions; request for comments. business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s Funding opportunity announcement complete Privacy Act Statement can be (FOA) means a publicly available SUMMARY: These amended special found in the Federal Register published document by which a Federal agency conditions are issued for the Boeing on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478). makes know its intentions to award Model 747–8 airplane. This amendment Docket: Background documents or discretionary grants or cooperative states that the Boeing Model 747–8 comments received may be read at daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES agreements, usually as a result of airplane oblique (side-facing) seats may http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. competition for funds. FOA be installed at an angle of 18 to 45 Follow the online instructions for announcements may be known as degrees to the airplane centerline and accessing the docket or go to Docket program announcements, notices of may include a 3-point or airbag restraint Operations in Room W12–140 of the funding availability, solicitations, or system, or both, for occupant restraint West Building Ground Floor at 1200 other names depending on the agency and injury protection. Additionally, this New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:12 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05SER1.SGM 05SER1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 45035 DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday Model 747–8 airplane. These oblique Novel or Unusual Design Features through Friday, except Federal holidays. (side-facing) seats may be installed at an The business-class seating FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane configuration Boeing proposes is novel Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety centerline and may include a 3-point or or unusual due to the seat installation Section, AIR–675, Transport Standards airbag restraint system, or both, for at 30 degrees to the airplane centerline, Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, occupant restraint and injury protection. the airbag-system installation, and the Aircraft Certification Service, Federal The Boeing Model 747–8 airplane is seat/occupant interface with the Aviation Administration, 2200 South a four-engine, transport category surrounding furniture that introduces 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington airplane with a maximum certified occupant alignment and loading 98198; telephone and fax 206–231– passenger capacity of 605, and a concerns. The proposed business-class 3214; email John.Shelden@faa.gov. maximum takeoff weight of 987,000 lbs. seating configuration also is beyond the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Type Certification Basis limits of current acceptable equivalent- substance of these special conditions Under the provisions of title 14, Code level-of-safety findings. These oblique has been published in the Federal of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101, (side-facing) seats may be installed at an Register for public comment in several Boeing must show that the Model 747– angle of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane prior instances with no substantive 8 airplane meets the applicable centerline and may include a 3-point or comments received. The FAA therefore provisions of the regulations listed in airbag restraint system, or both, for finds it unnecessary to delay the Type Certificate no. A20WE, or the occupant restraint and injury protection. effective date and finds that good cause applicable regulations in effect on the The existing regulations do not exists for making these special date of application for the change, provide adequate or appropriate safety conditions effective upon publication in except for earlier amendments as agreed standards for occupants of oblique- the Federal Register. upon by the FAA. The regulations listed angled seats with airbag systems. To in the type certificate are commonly provide a level of safety that is Comments Invited equivalent to that afforded occupants of referred to as the ‘‘original type We invite interested people to take certification basis.’’ The regulations forward- and aft-facing seats, additional part in this rulemaking by sending listed in Type Certificate no. A20WE are airworthiness standards, in the form of written comments, data, or views. The as follows: special conditions, are necessary. These most helpful comments reference a 14 CFR part 25, Amendments 25–1 special conditions supplement part 25 specific portion of the special through 25–120, with exceptions and, more specifically, supplement conditions, explain the reason for any permitted by § 21.101. In addition, the §§ 25.562 and 25.785. The requirements recommended change, and include certification basis includes certain contained in these special conditions supporting data. special conditions, exemptions, or later consist of both test conditions and We will consider all comments we amended sections of the applicable part injury pass/fail criteria. receive by the closing date for that are not relevant to these special Discussion comments. We may change these special conditions. conditions based on the comments we If the Administrator finds that the The FAA has been conducting and receive. applicable airworthiness regulations sponsoring research on appropriate (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain injury criteria for oblique (side-facing) Background seat installations. However, the FAA adequate or appropriate safety standards On February 3, 2014, Boeing applied for Boeing Model 747–8 airplanes research program is not complete and for an amendment to Type Certificate because of a novel or unusual design we may update these criteria as we no. A20WE to allow installation of feature, special conditions are obtain further research results. To single-occupant, oblique (side-facing) prescribed under § 21.16. reflect current research findings, the seats with or without airbag devices or Special conditions are initially FAA issued policy statement PS–ANM– 3-point restraints in the Boeing Model applicable to the model for which they 25–03–R1 to update injury criteria for 747–8 airplanes. are issued. Should the type certificate fully side facing seats, and the policy Boeing requested special conditions for that model be amended later to statement PS–AIR–25–27, to define to allow installation of oblique business- include any other model that injury criteria for oblique (side-facing) class passenger seats in the Boeing incorporates the same novel or unusual seats. Model 747–8 airplane. The seating design feature, or should any other The proposed Boeing Model 747–8 configuration Boeing proposes in model already included on the same airplanes business-class seat installation Certification Plan no. 15090, type certificate be modified to is novel such that the current Boeing ‘‘Installation of Business Class Zodiac incorporate the same novel or unusual Model 747–8 airplane certification basis Seats and Furniture for 747–8 TRX design feature, these special conditions does not adequately address protection RC076,’’ consists of Zodiac Cirrus III would also apply to the other model of the occupant’s neck and spine for seat model oblique (side-facing), pod-style, under § 21.101. In addition to the configurations that are positioned at an business-class seats (with surrounding applicable airworthiness regulations angle greater than 18 degrees from the shells and front-row furniture) installed and special conditions, the Boeing airplane centerline. These special at an angle of up to 30 degrees to the Model 747–8 airplane must comply conditions for oblique (side-facing) seat airplane longitudinal centerline. These with the fuel-vent and exhaust-emission installations do not adequately address seats will include inflatable restraint requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the oblique seats, reflecting the current (airbag) systems for occupant restraint research results, with or without 3-point daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES noise-certification requirements of 14 and injury protection. CFR part 36. or airbag restraint systems. Therefore, On November 22, 2017, Boeing The FAA issues special conditions as Boeing’s proposed configuration will applied for a change to Type Certificate defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance require amended special conditions. No. A20WE for the installation of with § 11.38, and they become part of The installation of passenger seats at oblique (side-facing) passenger seats and the type certification basis under angles of 18 to 45 degrees to the airplane surrounding furniture in the Boeing § 21.101. centerline are unique due to the seat/ VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05SER1.SGM 05SER1

45036 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations occupant interface with the surrounding These amended special conditions Side-Facing Seats Special Conditions furniture that introduces occupant will provide head injury criteria, neck In addition to the requirements of alignment/loading concerns with or injury criteria, spine injury criteria, and § 25.562: without the installation of a 3-point or body-to-wall contact criteria. They 1. Head Injury Criteria: airbag restraint system, or both. On- contain the additional safety standards Compliance with § 25.562(c)(5) is going research has invalidated that the Administrator considers required, except that, if the ATD has no previously released special conditions necessary to establish a level of safety apparent contact with the seat/structure for oblique seat installations. These equivalent to that established by the but has contact with an airbag, a head- updated special conditions further existing airworthiness standards. injury criterion (HIC) unlimited score in address potential injuries to the excess of 1000 is acceptable, provided occupant’s neck and spine. As a result, Applicability the HIC15 score (calculated in this special condition replaces special As discussed above, these special accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for condition 25–594–SC. conditions are applicable to the Boeing that contact is less than 700. FAA-sponsored research has found Model 747–8 airplanes. Should Boeing 2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact: that an un-restrained flailing of the apply at a later date for a change to the If a seat is installed aft of structure upper torso, even when the pelvis and type certificates to include another (e.g., an interior wall or furnishing) that torso are nearly aligned, can produce model incorporating the same novel or does not provide a homogenous contact serious spinal and torso injuries. At unusual design feature, or should any surface for the expected range of lower impact severities, even with other model already included on the occupants and yaw angles, then significant misalignment between the same type certificate be modified to additional analysis and/or test(s) may be torso and pelvis, these injuries did not incorporate the same novel or unusual required to demonstrate that the injury occur. Tests with an FAA H–III design feature, these special conditions criteria are met for the area that an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) would apply to the other model as well. occupant could contact. For example, if have identified a level of lumbar spinal Conclusion different yaw angles could result in tension corresponding to the no-injury different airbag performance, then impact severity. This level of tension is This action affects only certain novel additional analysis or separate test(s) included as a limit in the special or unusual design features on one model may be necessary to evaluate conditions. The spine tension limit airplane. It is not a rule of general performance. selected is conservative with respect to applicability. The substance of these special 3. Neck Injury Criteria: other aviation injury criteria since it The seating system must protect the corresponds to a no-injury loading conditions has been subjected to the occupant from experiencing serious condition. notice and comment period in several neck injury. The assessment of neck As noted in the special conditions for prior instances and has been derived injury must be conducted with the each airbag restraint system, because an without substantive change from those airbag restraint system is essentially a airbag device activated, unless there is previously issued. It is unlikely that single use device, there is the potential reason to also consider that the neck- prior public comment would result in a that it could deploy under crash injury potential would be higher for significant change from the substance conditions that are not sufficiently impacts below the airbag-device contained herein. Therefore, because a severe as to require head injury deployment threshold. delay would significantly affect the protection from the airbag restraint a. The Nij (calculated in accordance certification of the airplane, which is system. Since an actual crash is with 49 CFR 571.208) must be below imminent, the FAA has determined that frequently composed of a series of 1.0, where Nij = Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij prior public notice and comment are impacts before the airplane comes to critical values are: unnecessary and impracticable, and rest, this could render the airbag good cause exists for adopting these i. Fzc = 1,530 lb for tension restraint system useless if a larger special conditions upon publication in ii. Fzc = 1,385 lb for compression impact follows the initial impact. This the Federal Register. The FAA is iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion situation does not exist with energy iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension requesting comments to allow interested absorbing pads or upper torso restraints, persons to submit views that may not b. In addition, peak Fz must be below which tend to provide protection have been submitted in response to the 937 lb in tension and 899 lb in according to the severity of the impact. prior opportunities for comment compression. Therefore, the installation of the airbag described above. c. Rotation of the head about its restraint system should be such that the vertical axis, relative to the torso, is airbag restraint system will provide List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 limited to 105 degrees in either protection when it is required, and will Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting direction from forward-facing. not expend its protection when it is not and recordkeeping requirements. d. The neck must not impact any needed. surface that would produce Because these airbag restraint systems Authority Citation concentrated loading on the neck. may or may not activate during various The authority citation for these 4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria: crash conditions, the injury criteria special conditions is as follows: a. The lumbar spine tension (Fz) listed in these special conditions and in Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, cannot exceed 1200 lb. § 25.562 must be met in an event that is 44701, 44702, 44704. b. Significant concentrated loading on slightly below the activation level of the the occupant’s spine, in the area airbag restraint system. If an airbag The Special Conditions between the pelvis and shoulders daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES restraint system is included with the Accordingly, pursuant to the during impact, including rebound, is oblique seats, the system must meet the authority delegated to me by the not acceptable. During this type of requirements in one of the airbag Administrator, the following special contact, the interval for any rearward (X (inflatable restraint) special conditions conditions are issued as part of the type direction) acceleration exceeding 20g applicable to the Boeing Model 747–8 certification basis for the Boeing Model must be less than 3 milliseconds as airplane. 747–8 airplane. measured by the thoracic VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05SER1.SGM 05SER1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 5, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 45037 instrumentation specified in 49 CFR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION May 1, 2018 (83 FR 18934), make the part 572, subpart E filtered in following correction: accordance with SAE International Federal Aviation Administration On page 18938, column 2, under part (SAE) recommended practice J211/1, II, paragraph 7, correct ‘‘Instrumentation for Impact Test—Part 14 CFR Part 25 ‘‘§ 25.143(j)(2)(i)’’ to read 1—Electronic Instrumentation.’’ ‘‘§ 25.143(j)(1)’’. [Docket No. FAA–2018–0335; Special c. The occupant must not interact Conditions No. 25–725–SC] Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 27, 2018. with the armrest or other seat components in any manner significantly Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc., Victor Wicklund, different than would be expected for a Model BD–700–2A12 and BD–700– Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy forward-facing seat installation. 2A13 Series Airplanes; Flight Envelope and Innovation Division, Aircraft Protection: High Incidence Protection Certification Service. 5. Pelvis Criteria: System [FR Doc. 2018–19215 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] Any part of the load-bearing portion BILLING CODE 4910–13–P AGENCY: Federal Aviation of the bottom of the ATD pelvis must Administration (FAA), DOT. not translate beyond the edges of the seat bottom seat-cushion supporting ACTION: Final special conditions; DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION structure. correction. Federal Aviation Administration 6. Femur Criteria: SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting an Axial rotation of the upper leg (about error that appeared in the Federal 14 CFR Part 39 the z-axis of the femur per SAE Register on May 1, 2018, for special conditions No. 25–725–SC, Docket No. [Docket No. FAA–2018–0163; Product Recommended Practice J211/1) must be Identifier 2017–NM–168–AD; Amendment limited to 35 degrees from the nominal FAA–2018–0335. As published, there 39–19386; AD 2018–18–07] was an error in the citation and the seated position. Evaluation during RIN 2120–AA64 correct citation has been added. rebound does not need to be considered. DATES: Effective on Bombardier on 7. ATD and Test Conditions: Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing September 5, 2018. Company Airplanes Longitudinal tests conducted to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe measure the injury criteria above must Jacobsen, Airplane and Flight Crew AGENCY: Federal Aviation be performed with the FAA Hybrid III Interface, AIR–671, Transport Standards Administration (FAA), DOT. ATD, as described in SAE 1999–01– Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, ACTION: Final rule. 1609, ‘‘A Lumbar Spine Modification to Aircraft Certification Service, Federal the Hybrid III ATD for Aircraft Seat Aviation Administration, 2200 South SUMMARY: We are adopting a new Tests.’’ The tests must be conducted 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 98198; telephone and fax 206–231– The Boeing Company Model 757 with an undeformed floor, at the most- 3158; email Joe.Jacobsen@faa.gov. airplanes. This AD was prompted by an critical yaw cases for injury and with all evaluation by the design approval lateral structural supports (e.g. armrests SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: holder (DAH) indicating that the or walls) installed. longitudinal lap splices of the fuselage Background Note: Boeing must demonstrate that skin are subject to widespread fatigue the installation of seats via plinths or On April 25, 2018, the FAA issued damage (WFD). This AD requires Special Conditions No. 25–725–SC, pallets meets all applicable repetitive inspections of the Docket No. FAA–2018–0335, which was requirements. Compliance with the longitudinal lap splices of the fuselage published in the Federal Register on guidance contained in policy skin for cracking and protruding May 1, 2018 (83 FR 18934). Those memorandum PS–ANM–100–2000– fasteners, and applicable corrective special conditions pertain to the high 00123, ‘‘Guidance for Demonstrating actions. We are issuing this AD to incidence protection system that Compliance with Seat Dynamic Testing address the unsafe condition on these replaces the stall warning system during for Plinths and Pallets,’’ dated February products. normal operating conditions, prohibits 2, 2000, is acceptable to the FAA. the airplane from stalling, limits the DATES: This AD is effective October 10, 8. Inflatable Airbag Restraint Systems angle of attack at which the airplane can 2018. Special Conditions: be flown during normal low speed The Director of the Federal Register operation, and cannot be overridden by approved the incorporation by reference If inflatable airbag restraint systems of a certain publication listed in this AD the flight crew for Bombardier Model are installed, the airbag systems must as of October 10, 2018. BD–700–2A12 and BD–700–2A13 series meet the requirements in one of the ADDRESSES: For service information airplanes. As published, part II, airbag (inflatable restraint) special paragraph 7 of the final special identified in this final rule, contact conditions applicable to the Boeing conditions cited § 25.143(j)(2)(i) instead Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Model 747–8 airplane. of § 25.143(j)(1). There are no Attention: Contractual & Data Services Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on substantive changes to the document (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC August 22, 2018. and it was apparent that § 25.143(j)(1) 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717; internet daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES Victor Wicklund, should have been referenced from the Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy beginning. https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You and Innovation Division, Aircraft may view this service information at the Correction FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018–19216 Filed 9–4–18; 8:45 am] In the final special conditions South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For document FR Doc. 2018–09126 (Filed information on the availability of this BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 4–30–2018; 8:45 a.m.), published on material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Sep 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\05SER1.SGM 05SER1


Document Created: 2018-09-05 01:58:36
Document Modified: 2018-09-05 01:58:36
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
ActionAmended final special conditions; request for comments.
DatesThis action is effective on Boeing on September 5, 2018. Send comments on or before October 22, 2018.
ContactJohn Shelden, Airframe and Cabin Safety Section, AIR-675, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3214; email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 45034 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
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