[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13677-13678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6129]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Flammability Test Method for Aircraft Blankets

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) pertaining to a 
flammability test method for aircraft blankets. The proposed TSO 
prescribes the minimum performance standards that aircraft blankets 
must meet to be identified with the marking ``TSO-C152.''

DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or 
before June 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Room 
815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments must 
identify the TSO file number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hal Jensen, Technical Programs and 
Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, FAX No. (202) 267-5340.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO 
listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views, or 
arguments as they desire to the above specified address. Comments 
received on the proposed technical standard order may be examined, 
before and after the comment closing date, in Room 815, FAA 
Headquarters Building (FOB-10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, weekdays except Federal holidays, between 8:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications received on or before the closing 
date for comments specified above will be considered by the Director of 
the Aircraft Certification Service before issuing the final TSO.

Background

    This TSO is proposed to provide minimum performance standards for 
the flammability characteristics of blankets to be used for passenger 
comfort in aircraft cabins.
    On November 28, 1993, the pilot of a Northwest Airlines B727-200 
aircraft declared an emergency after a fire was reported in an overhead 
stowage bin. The fire was noticed just as the aircraft was being pushed 
back from the loading gate at Dorval International Airport. The fire 
was extinguished by crew members and all passengers were safely 
evacuated.
    The stowage bin involved in the fire contained a personal carry-on 
bag and five 100 percent polyester airline blankets in two separate 
piles. The blankets were supplied by two different manufacturers. Upon 
completion of their investigation, the Transportation Safety Board 
(TSB) of Canada determined that the original source of fuel for the 
fire was the 100 percent polyester airline blankets. This conclusion 
was based on TSB testing of a section of unburned blanket. In their 
first test, a lit match was placed at the edge of the blanket. In their 
second test, a lit match was placed on top of the blanket. In both 
cases, the blanket ignited and rapid propagation of flame was observed.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require 
flammability testing of airline blankets. Therefore in light of the 
above incident, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board asked the 
FAA to develop a fire performance test method and performance criteria 
for blankets suppled to commercial airline operators. At that time, 
many airlines used blankets that met only the FAA vertical Bunsen 
burner test criteria specified in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 
Sec. 25.853. However, this test may be inappropriate as a measurement 
of ignitability for certain types of blankets since the polyester 
blankets involved in the Northwest Airlines B727-200 fire met the test 
criteria.
    In March 1996, the FAA's Technical Center completed the development 
of a flammability test for blankets. The Technical Center published its 
report and included it in the FAA's Aircraft Materials Fire Test 
Handbook. In August 1996, the FAA issued Flight Standards Information 
Bulletin for Air Transportation (FSAT) 96-11 that recommended that air 
carriers replace old blankets at the end of their service life with 
blankets that met these new FAA-developed standards.
    FSAT 96-11 expired in August 1997, and industry no longer had an 
FAA-approved flammability standard for aircraft blankets to reference. 
Therefore, the FAA is issuing Technical Standard Order (TSO) C152, 
Flammability Test Method for Aircraft Blankets.

How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C152 may be obtained via the Internet, 
http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/100home.htm, or on request from the office 
listed under ``For Further Information Contact.'' Copies of Advisory 
Circular (AC) 20-115, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, Inc., 
Document RTCA/DO-178, AC 25-17, Transportation Airplane Cabin Interiors 
Crashworthiness Handbook, and DOT/FAA/CT-89/15, ``Aircraft Materials 
Fire Test Handbook,'' may be obtained from the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Subsequent Distribution Office, SVC-121.23, 3341 Q 75th 
Avenue, Landover, MD 20785. Department of Transportation (DOT) 
Specifications may be purchased from the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Records Center, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590.


[[Page 13678]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2002.
John McGraw,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6129 Filed 3-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M