83_FR_53370 83 FR 53166 - Special Conditions: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 Airplane; Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels

83 FR 53166 - Special Conditions: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 Airplane; Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 204 (October 22, 2018)

Page Range53166-53168
FR Document2018-22922

These special conditions are issued for the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 airplane. 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 include passenger seats that incorporate non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal frame covered by fabric. 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 204 (Monday, October 22, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53166-53168]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22922]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0932; Special Conditions No. 25-733-SC]


Special Conditions: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 
Airplane; Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic 
Panels

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Mitsubishi 
Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 airplane. 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 include passenger seats that 
incorporate non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the 
traditional metal frame covered by fabric. The applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional 
safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to 
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the 
existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: This action is effective on Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation on 
October 22, 2018. Send comments on or before December 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2018-0932 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: Nicholas Wilson, International 
Section, AIR-676, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3230; email Nicholas.Wilson@faa.gov.

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.

[[Page 53167]]

Background

    On August 19, 2009, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation applied for a 
type certificate for their new Model MRJ-200 airplane. The Mitsubishi 
Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 airplane is a low-wing, 
conventional-tail design with two wing-mounted turbofan engines. The 
primary structure is metal with an aluminum wing and composite 
empennage. The airplane is equipped with an electronic flight control 
system. The airplane has seating for 96 passengers and a maximum 
takeoff weight of 98,800 lbs.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation must show that the Model 
MRJ-200 airplane meets the applicable provisions of part 25, as amended 
by amendments 25-1 through 25-141; part 36, as amended by amendments 
36-1 through 36-30; and part 34, as amended by amendments 34-1 through 
the amendment effective at the time of design approval.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation 
Model MRJ-200 airplane because of a novel or unusual design feature, 
special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or 
unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to 
the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 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.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 airplane will 
incorporate the following novel or unusual design features:
    Passenger seats that incorporate non-traditional, large, non-
metallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal frame covered by 
fabric.

Definition of ``Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panel''

    A non-traditional, large, non-metallic panel, in this case, is 
defined as a panel with exposed surface areas greater than 1.5 square 
feet installed per seat place. The panel may consist of either a single 
component or multiple components in a concentrated area. Examples of 
parts of the seat where these non-traditional panels are installed 
include, but are not limited to: seat backs, bottoms and leg/foot 
rests, kick panels, back shells, credenzas and associated furniture. 
Examples of traditional exempted parts of the seat include: arm caps, 
armrest close-outs such as end bays and armrest-styled center consoles, 
food trays, video monitors and shrouds.

Clarification of ``Exposed''

    ``Exposed'' includes those panels directly exposed to the passenger 
cabin in the traditional sense, plus those panels enveloped such as by 
a dress cover. Traditional fabrics or leathers currently used on seats 
are excluded from these special conditions. These materials must still 
comply with 14 CFR 25.853(a) and (c) if used as a covering for a seat 
cushion, or 14 CFR 25.853(a) if installed elsewhere on the seat. Non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels covered with traditional 
fabrics or leathers will be tested without their coverings or covering 
attachments.

Discussion

    In the early 1980s, the FAA conducted extensive research on the 
effects of post-crash flammability in the passenger cabin. As a result 
of this research and service experience, the FAA adopted new standards 
for interior surfaces associated with large surface area parts. 
Specifically, the rules require measurement of heat release and smoke 
emission (part 25, appendix F, parts IV and V) for the affected parts. 
Heat release has been shown to have a direct correlation with post-
crash fire survival time. Materials that comply with the standards 
(i.e., Sec.  25.853, Compartment interiors, as amended by amendment 25-
61 and amendment 25-66) extend survival time by approximately two 
minutes over materials that do not comply.
    At the time these standards were written, the potential application 
of the requirements of heat release and smoke emission to seats was 
explored. The seat frame itself was not a concern because it was 
primarily made of aluminum and there were only small amounts of non-
metallic materials. It was determined that the overall effect on 
survivability was negligible, whether or not the food trays met the 
heat release and smoke requirements. The requirements, therefore, did 
not address seats. The preambles to both the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, Notice No. 85-10, 50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985, and the 
Final Rule, amendment 25-61, 51 FR 26206, July 21, 1986, specifically 
note that seats were excluded because the recently-adopted standards 
for flammability of seat cushions will greatly inhibit involvement of 
the seats.
    Subsequently, the Final Rule, amendment 25-83, 60 FR 6615, March 6, 
1995, clarified the definition of minimum panel size by stating that it 
is not possible to cite a specific size that will apply in all 
installations; however, as a general rule, components with exposed 
surface areas of one square foot or less may be considered small enough 
that they do not have to meet the new standards. Components with 
exposed surface areas greater than two square feet may be considered 
large enough that they do have to meet the new standards. Those with 
exposed surface areas greater than one square foot, but less than two 
square feet, must be considered in conjunction with the areas of the 
cabin in which they are installed before a determination could be made.
    The FAA issued Policy Statement PS-ANM100-97-112-39, Guidance for 
Flammability Testing of Seat/Console Installations, on October 17, 1997 
(http://rgl.faa.gov). That document was issued when it became clear 
that seat designs were evolving to include large, non-metallic panels 
with surface areas that would impact survivability during a cabin fire 
event, comparable to partitions or galleys. The document noted that 
large surface area panels must comply with heat release and smoke 
emission requirements, even if they were attached to a seat. If the FAA 
had not issued such policy, seat designs could have been viewed as a 
loophole to the airworthiness standards that would result in an 
unacceptable decrease in survivability during a cabin fire event.
    In October of 2004, an issue was raised regarding the appropriate 
flammability standards for passenger seats that incorporated non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional 
metal covered by fabric. The FAA determined that special conditions 
would be promulgated to apply the standards defined in 14 CFR 25.853(d) 
to seats with large, non-metallic panels in their design.
    These special conditions contain the additional safety standards 
that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of 
safety equivalent to

[[Page 53168]]

that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model MRJ-200 airplane. Should 
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation apply at a later date for a change to 
the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only 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.

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 Mitsubishi Aircraft Company Model MRJ-
200 airplanes.
    1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of these special conditions, 
compliance with 14 CFR part 25, appendix F, part IV, Heat Release and 
part V, Smoke Emission, is required for seats that incorporate non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels that may either be a single 
component or multiple components in a concentrated area in their 
design.
    2. The applicant may designate up to and including 0.139 square 
meter (1.5 square feet of non-traditional, non-metallic panel material 
per seat place that does not have to comply with paragraph 1 of these 
special conditions. A double seat assembly may have a total of 0.278 
square meter (3.0 square feet) excluded on any portion of the assembly 
(e.g., outboard seat place 0.093 square meter [1 square foot] and 
inboard 0.185 square meter [2.0 square feet]).
    3. Seats do not have to meet the test requirements of 14 CFR part 
25, appendix F, parts IV and V, when installed in compartments defined 
in 14 CFR 25.853(e).

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 16, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-22922 Filed 10-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                             53166            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 204 / Monday, October 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             between the pelvis and shoulders                          Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on                Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
                                             during impact, including rebound, is                    October 4, 2018.                                      Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9
                                             not acceptable. During this type of                     Victor Wicklund,                                      a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                             contact, the interval for any rearward (X               Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy           Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                             direction) acceleration exceeding 20g                   and Innovation Division, Aircraft                       • Fax: Fax comments to Docket
                                                                                                     Certification Service.
                                             must be less than 3 milliseconds as                                                                           Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                             measured by the thoracic                                [FR Doc. 2018–22933 Filed 10–19–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                              Privacy: The FAA will post all
                                             instrumentation specified in 49 CFR                     BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                           comments it receives, without change,
                                             part 572, subpart E, filtered in                                                                              to http://www.regulations.gov/,
                                             accordance with SAE recommended                                                                               including any personal information the
                                                                                                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                             practice J211/1, ‘‘Instrumentation for                                                                        commenter provides. Using the search
                                             Impact Test–Part 1–Electronic                           Federal Aviation Administration                       function of the docket website, anyone
                                             Instrumentation.’’                                                                                            can find and read the electronic form of
                                               c. The occupant must not interact                     14 CFR Part 25                                        all comments received into any FAA
                                             with the armrest or other seat                                                                                docket, including the name of the
                                                                                                     [Docket No. FAA–2018–0932; Special
                                             components in any manner significantly                  Conditions No. 25–733–SC]
                                                                                                                                                           individual sending the comment (or
                                             different than would be expected for a                                                                        signing the comment for an association,
                                             forward-facing seat installation.                       Special Conditions: Mitsubishi Aircraft               business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
                                                                                                     Corporation Model MRJ–200 Airplane;                   complete Privacy Act Statement can be
                                             5. Pelvis Criteria                                      Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional,                 found in the Federal Register published
                                                                                                     Large, Non-Metallic Panels                            on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478).
                                                Any part of the load-bearing portion
                                                                                                                                                              Docket: Background documents or
                                             of the bottom of the ATD pelvis must                    AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                                                                                                                           comments received may be read at
                                             not translate beyond the edges of the                   Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                                                                                                                           http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.
                                             seat bottom seat-cushion supporting                     ACTION: Final special conditions; request
                                                                                                                                                           Follow the online instructions for
                                             structure.                                              for comments.                                         accessing the docket or go to Docket
                                             6. Femur Criteria                                       SUMMARY:   These special conditions are               Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                                                                                     issued for the Mitsubishi Aircraft                    West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                               Axial rotation of the upper leg (about                Corporation Model MRJ–200 airplane.                   New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
                                             the z-axis of the femur per SAE                         This airplane will have novel or                      DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                             Recommended Practice J211/1) must be                    unusual design features when compared                 through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                             limited to 35 degrees from the nominal                  to the state of technology envisioned in              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             seated position. Evaluation during                      the airworthiness standards for                       Nicholas Wilson, International Section,
                                             rebound does not need to be considered.                 transport category airplanes. These                   AIR–676, Transport Standards Branch,
                                             7. ATD and Test Conditions                              design features include passenger seats               Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft
                                                                                                     that incorporate non-traditional, large,              Certification Service, Federal Aviation
                                                Longitudinal tests conducted to                      non-metallic panels in lieu of the                    Administration, 2200 South 216th
                                             measure the injury criteria above must                  traditional metal frame covered by                    Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
                                             be performed with the FAA Hybrid III                    fabric. The applicable airworthiness                  telephone and fax 206–231–3230; email
                                             ATD, as described in SAE 1999–01–                       regulations do not contain adequate or                Nicholas.Wilson@faa.gov.
                                             1609, ‘‘A Lumbar Spine Modification to                  appropriate safety standards for this
                                                                                                     design feature. These special conditions              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     The
                                             the Hybrid III ATD for Aircraft Seat                                                                          substance of these special conditions
                                             Tests.’’ The tests must be conducted                    contain the additional safety standards
                                                                                                     that the Administrator considers                      has been published in the Federal
                                             with an undeformed floor, at the most-                                                                        Register for public comment in several
                                                                                                     necessary to establish a level of safety
                                             critical yaw cases for injury, and with                                                                       prior instances with no substantive
                                                                                                     equivalent to that established by the
                                             all lateral structural supports (e.g.,                                                                        comments received. The FAA, therefore,
                                                                                                     existing airworthiness standards.
                                             armrests or walls) installed.                                                                                 finds it unnecessary to delay the
                                                                                                     DATES: This action is effective on
                                                Note: Boeing must demonstrate that the                                                                     effective date and finds that good cause
                                                                                                     Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation on
                                             installation of seats via plinths or pallets                                                                  exists for making these special
                                                                                                     October 22, 2018. Send comments on or
                                             meets all applicable requirements.                                                                            conditions effective upon publication in
                                                                                                     before December 6, 2018.
                                             Compliance with the guidance contained in                                                                     the Federal Register.
                                                                                                     ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
                                             policy memorandum PS–ANM–100–2000–                                                                            Comments Invited
                                                                                                     by Docket No. FAA–2018–0932 using
                                             00123, ‘‘Guidance for Demonstrating
                                                                                                     any of the following methods:
                                             Compliance with Seat Dynamic Testing for
                                                                                                        • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                 We invite interested people to take
                                             Plinths and Pallets,’’ dated February 2, 2000,
                                                                                                     http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                part in this rulemaking by sending
                                             is acceptable to the FAA.                                                                                     written comments, data, or views. The
                                                                                                     the online instructions for sending your
                                                                                                     comments electronically.                              most helpful comments reference a
                                             8. Inflatable Airbag Restraint Systems                     • Mail: Send comments to Docket                    specific portion of the special
                                             Special Conditions                                      Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                  conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                                                                                                                           recommended change, and include
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                                               If inflatable airbag restraint systems                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                                                                     Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West                         supporting data.
                                             are installed, the airbag systems must
                                                                                                     Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                   We will consider all comments we
                                             meet the requirements in one of the
                                                                                                     20590–0001.                                           receive by the closing date for
                                             airbag (inflatable restraint) special
                                                                                                        • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take                   comments. We may change these special
                                             conditions applicable to the Boeing
                                                                                                     comments to Docket Operations in                      conditions based on the comments we
                                             Model 777 series airplanes.                             Room W12–140 of the West Building                     receive.


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 204 / Monday, October 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                        53167

                                             Background                                              Definition of ‘‘Non-Traditional, Large,               trays met the heat release and smoke
                                                On August 19, 2009, Mitsubishi                       Non-Metallic Panel’’                                  requirements. The requirements,
                                             Aircraft Corporation applied for a type                   A non-traditional, large, non-metallic              therefore, did not address seats. The
                                             certificate for their new Model MRJ–200                 panel, in this case, is defined as a panel            preambles to both the Notice of
                                             airplane. The Mitsubishi Aircraft                       with exposed surface areas greater than               Proposed Rulemaking, Notice No. 85–
                                             Corporation Model MRJ–200 airplane is                                                                         10, 50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985, and the
                                                                                                     1.5 square feet installed per seat place.
                                             a low-wing, conventional-tail design                                                                          Final Rule, amendment 25–61, 51 FR
                                                                                                     The panel may consist of either a single
                                             with two wing-mounted turbofan                                                                                26206, July 21, 1986, specifically note
                                                                                                     component or multiple components in a
                                             engines. The primary structure is metal                                                                       that seats were excluded because the
                                                                                                     concentrated area. Examples of parts of
                                             with an aluminum wing and composite                                                                           recently-adopted standards for
                                                                                                     the seat where these non-traditional
                                             empennage. The airplane is equipped                                                                           flammability of seat cushions will
                                                                                                     panels are installed include, but are not
                                             with an electronic flight control system.                                                                     greatly inhibit involvement of the seats.
                                                                                                     limited to: seat backs, bottoms and leg/                 Subsequently, the Final Rule,
                                             The airplane has seating for 96                         foot rests, kick panels, back shells,
                                             passengers and a maximum takeoff                                                                              amendment 25–83, 60 FR 6615, March
                                                                                                     credenzas and associated furniture.                   6, 1995, clarified the definition of
                                             weight of 98,800 lbs.                                   Examples of traditional exempted parts                minimum panel size by stating that it is
                                             Type Certification Basis                                of the seat include: arm caps, armrest                not possible to cite a specific size that
                                                                                                     close-outs such as end bays and armrest-              will apply in all installations; however,
                                                Under the provisions of title 14, Code               styled center consoles, food trays, video
                                             of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17,                                                                        as a general rule, components with
                                                                                                     monitors and shrouds.                                 exposed surface areas of one square foot
                                             Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation must
                                             show that the Model MRJ–200 airplane                    Clarification of ‘‘Exposed’’                          or less may be considered small enough
                                             meets the applicable provisions of part                                                                       that they do not have to meet the new
                                                                                                        ‘‘Exposed’’ includes those panels                  standards. Components with exposed
                                             25, as amended by amendments 25–1                       directly exposed to the passenger cabin
                                             through 25–141; part 36, as amended by                                                                        surface areas greater than two square
                                                                                                     in the traditional sense, plus those                  feet may be considered large enough
                                             amendments 36–1 through 36–30; and                      panels enveloped such as by a dress
                                             part 34, as amended by amendments                                                                             that they do have to meet the new
                                                                                                     cover. Traditional fabrics or leathers                standards. Those with exposed surface
                                             34–1 through the amendment effective                    currently used on seats are excluded
                                             at the time of design approval.                                                                               areas greater than one square foot, but
                                                                                                     from these special conditions. These                  less than two square feet, must be
                                                If the Administrator finds that the
                                                                                                     materials must still comply with 14 CFR               considered in conjunction with the
                                             applicable airworthiness regulations
                                                                                                     25.853(a) and (c) if used as a covering               areas of the cabin in which they are
                                             (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain
                                                                                                     for a seat cushion, or 14 CFR 25.853(a)               installed before a determination could
                                             adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                                                                     if installed elsewhere on the seat. Non-              be made.
                                             for the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
                                                                                                     traditional, large, non-metallic panels                  The FAA issued Policy Statement PS–
                                             Model MRJ–200 airplane because of a
                                                                                                     covered with traditional fabrics or                   ANM100–97–112–39, Guidance for
                                             novel or unusual design feature, special
                                             conditions are prescribed under the                     leathers will be tested without their                 Flammability Testing of Seat/Console
                                             provisions of § 21.16.                                  coverings or covering attachments.                    Installations, on October 17, 1997
                                                Special conditions are initially                     Discussion                                            (http://rgl.faa.gov). That document was
                                             applicable to the model for which they                                                                        issued when it became clear that seat
                                             are issued. Should the type certificate                    In the early 1980s, the FAA                        designs were evolving to include large,
                                             for that model be amended later to                      conducted extensive research on the                   non-metallic panels with surface areas
                                             include any other model that                            effects of post-crash flammability in the             that would impact survivability during
                                             incorporates the same novel or unusual                  passenger cabin. As a result of this                  a cabin fire event, comparable to
                                             design feature, these special conditions                research and service experience, the                  partitions or galleys. The document
                                             would also apply to the other model                     FAA adopted new standards for interior                noted that large surface area panels
                                             under § 21.101.                                         surfaces associated with large surface                must comply with heat release and
                                                In addition to the applicable                        area parts. Specifically, the rules require           smoke emission requirements, even if
                                             airworthiness regulations and special                   measurement of heat release and smoke                 they were attached to a seat. If the FAA
                                             conditions, the Mitsubishi Aircraft                     emission (part 25, appendix F, parts IV               had not issued such policy, seat designs
                                             Corporation Model MRJ–200 airplane                      and V) for the affected parts. Heat                   could have been viewed as a loophole
                                             must comply with the fuel vent and                      release has been shown to have a direct               to the airworthiness standards that
                                             exhaust emission requirements of 14                     correlation with post-crash fire survival             would result in an unacceptable
                                             CFR part 34 and the noise certification                 time. Materials that comply with the                  decrease in survivability during a cabin
                                             requirements of 14 CFR part 36.                         standards (i.e., § 25.853, Compartment                fire event.
                                                The FAA issues special conditions, as                interiors, as amended by amendment                       In October of 2004, an issue was
                                             defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                  25–61 and amendment 25–66) extend                     raised regarding the appropriate
                                             with § 11.38, and they become part of                   survival time by approximately two                    flammability standards for passenger
                                             the type certification basis under                      minutes over materials that do not                    seats that incorporated non-traditional,
                                             § 21.17(a)(2).                                          comply.                                               large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the
                                                                                                        At the time these standards were                   traditional metal covered by fabric. The
                                             Novel or Unusual Design Features                        written, the potential application of the             FAA determined that special conditions
                                                The Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation                  requirements of heat release and smoke                would be promulgated to apply the
                                                                                                     emission to seats was explored. The seat
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                                             Model MRJ–200 airplane will                                                                                   standards defined in 14 CFR 25.853(d)
                                             incorporate the following novel or                      frame itself was not a concern because                to seats with large, non-metallic panels
                                             unusual design features:                                it was primarily made of aluminum and                 in their design.
                                                Passenger seats that incorporate non-                there were only small amounts of non-                    These special conditions contain the
                                             traditional, large, non-metallic panels in              metallic materials. It was determined                 additional safety standards that the
                                             lieu of the traditional metal frame                     that the overall effect on survivability              Administrator considers necessary to
                                             covered by fabric.                                      was negligible, whether or not the food               establish a level of safety equivalent to


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                                             53168            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 204 / Monday, October 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             that established by the existing                          Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on                   • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
                                             airworthiness standards.                                October 16, 2018.                                     comments to Docket Operations in
                                                                                                     Victor Wicklund,                                      Room W12–140 of the West Building
                                             Applicability                                           Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy           Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
                                               As discussed above, these special                     and Innovation Division, Aircraft                     Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9
                                                                                                     Certification Service.                                a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                             conditions are applicable to the
                                                                                                     [FR Doc. 2018–22922 Filed 10–19–18; 8:45 am]          Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                             Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Model
                                             MRJ–200 airplane. Should Mitsubishi                     BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                   • Fax: Fax comments to Docket
                                             Aircraft Corporation apply at a later date                                                                    Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                             for a change to the type certificate to                                                                          Privacy: The FAA will post all
                                                                                                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          comments it receives, without change,
                                             include another model incorporating the
                                             same novel or unusual design feature,                                                                         to http://www.regulations.gov/,
                                                                                                     Federal Aviation Administration                       including any personal information the
                                             these special conditions would apply to
                                             that model as well.                                                                                           commenter provides. Using the search
                                                                                                     14 CFR Part 25                                        function of the docket website, anyone
                                             Conclusion                                              [Docket No. FAA–2018–0714; Special                    can find and read the electronic form of
                                                                                                     Conditions No. 25–734–SC]                             all comments received into any FAA
                                               This action affects only a certain
                                                                                                                                                           docket, including the name of the
                                             novel or unusual design feature on one                  Special Conditions: Bombardier, Inc.,                 individual sending the comment (or
                                             model of airplane. It is not a rule of                  BD–700–2A12 and BD–700–2A13                           signing the comment for an association,
                                             general applicability.                                  Airplanes; Multiple-Place Side-Facing                 business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
                                             List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                      Seats With Active Leg-Flail Restraint                 complete Privacy Act Statement can be
                                                                                                     Device and Shoulder-Belt Airbags                      found in the Federal Register published
                                               Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                                                                        on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478).
                                                                                                     AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                             and recordkeeping requirements.                                                                                  Docket: Background documents or
                                                                                                     Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                             Authority Citation                                      ACTION: Final special conditions; request             comments received may be read at
                                                                                                     for comments.                                         http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.
                                               The authority citation for these                                                                            Follow the online instructions for
                                             special conditions is as follows:                       SUMMARY:    These special conditions are              accessing the docket or go to Docket
                                               Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,           issued for the Bombardier, Inc.,                      Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                             44701, 44702, 44704.                                    (Bombardier) BD–700–2A12 and BD–                      West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                                                                     700–2A13 airplanes, marketed                          New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
                                             The Special Conditions                                  respectively as Global 7000 and Global                DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                Accordingly, pursuant to the                         8000. These airplanes, as modified by                 through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                             authority delegated to me by the                        Bombardier, will have novel or unusual                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             Administrator, the following special                    design features when compared to the                  Alan Sinclair, Airframe and Cabin
                                             conditions are issued as part of the type               state of technology envisioned in the                 Safety Section, AIR–675, Transport
                                             certification basis for Mitsubishi                      airworthiness standards for transport-                Standards Branch, Policy and
                                             Aircraft Company Model MRJ–200                          category airplanes. These design                      Innovation Division, Aircraft
                                             airplanes.                                              features are multiple-place side-facing               Certification Service, Federal Aviation
                                                                                                     seats with active leg-flail restraint                 Administration, 2200 South 216th
                                                1. Except as provided in paragraph 3                 devices and shoulder-belt airbags. The                Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
                                             of these special conditions, compliance                 applicable airworthiness regulations do               telephone and fax 206–231–3215; email
                                             with 14 CFR part 25, appendix F, part                   not contain adequate or appropriate                   alan.sinclair@faa.gov.
                                             IV, Heat Release and part V, Smoke                      safety standards for this design feature.
                                             Emission, is required for seats that                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                     These special conditions contain the                  substance of these special conditions
                                             incorporate non-traditional, large, non-                additional safety standards that the
                                             metallic panels that may either be a                                                                          has been published in the Federal
                                                                                                     Administrator considers necessary to                  Register for public comment in several
                                             single component or multiple                            establish a level of safety equivalent to
                                             components in a concentrated area in                                                                          prior instances with no substantive
                                                                                                     that established by the existing                      comments received. The FAA therefore
                                             their design.                                           airworthiness standards.                              finds it unnecessary to delay the
                                                2. The applicant may designate up to                 DATES: This action is effective on                    effective date and finds that good cause
                                             and including 0.139 square meter (1.5                   Bombardier on October 22, 2018. Send                  exists for making these special
                                             square feet of non-traditional, non-                    comments on or before December 6,                     conditions effective upon publication in
                                             metallic panel material per seat place                  2018.                                                 the Federal Register.
                                             that does not have to comply with
                                                                                                     ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
                                             paragraph 1 of these special conditions.                                                                      Comments Invited
                                                                                                     by Docket No. FAA–2018–0714 using
                                             A double seat assembly may have a total                                                                         We invite interested people to take
                                                                                                     any of the following methods:
                                             of 0.278 square meter (3.0 square feet)                    • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to               part in this rulemaking by sending
                                             excluded on any portion of the assembly                 http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow                written comments, data, or views. The
                                             (e.g., outboard seat place 0.093 square                 the online instructions for sending your              most helpful comments reference a
                                             meter [1 square foot] and inboard 0.185                                                                       specific portion of the special
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                     comments electronically.
                                             square meter [2.0 square feet]).                           • Mail: Send comments to Docket                    conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                3. Seats do not have to meet the test                Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                  recommended change, and include
                                             requirements of 14 CFR part 25,                         Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                 supporting data.
                                             appendix F, parts IV and V, when                        Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West                           We will consider all comments we
                                             installed in compartments defined in 14                 Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                 receive by the closing date for
                                             CFR 25.853(e).                                          20590–0001.                                           comments. We may change these special


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Document Created: 2018-10-20 01:50:31
Document Modified: 2018-10-20 01:50:31
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 Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation on October 22, 2018. Send comments on or before December 6, 2018.
ContactNicholas Wilson, International Section, AIR-676, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3230; email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 53166 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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