[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 217 (Friday, November 7, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66163-66171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26663]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. CE285, Special Conditions No. 23-225A-SC]


Final Special Conditions: AmSafe Aviation; Inflatable Restraints 
Installation; Approved Model List of Normal and Utility Category 
Airplanes, and Agricultural Airplanes Certificated in the Normal/
Utility/Restricted Category

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for AmSafe Aviation to 
amend the list of approved models. These airplanes, as modified by 
AmSafe Aviation, will have novel and unusual design features associated 
with the lap belt or shoulder harness portion of the safety belt, which 
contains an integrated airbag device. The applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate and 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 
airworthiness standards.

DATES: The effective date of these amended special conditions is 
October 31, 2008. Comments must be received on or before December 8, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Mail two copies of your comments on these amended special 
conditions to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Regional Counsel, 
ACE-7, Attention: Rules Docket, Docket No. CE285, 901 Locust, Room 506, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106, or you may deliver two copies to the 
Regional Counsel at the above address. Mark your comments: Docket No. 
CE285. You may inspect comments in the Rules Docket weekdays, except 
Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

[[Page 66164]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob Stegeman, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, 816-329-4140, fax 
816-329-4090, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable because 
these procedures would significantly delay issuance of the approval 
design and thus delivery of the affected aircraft. In addition, the 
substance of these special conditions has been subject to the public 
comment process in several prior instances with no substantive comments 
received. The FAA, therefore, finds that good cause exists for making 
these amended special conditions effective upon issuance.

Comments Invited

    We invite interested persons to participate in the making of these 
special conditions by submitting such written data, views, or arguments 
as they may desire. Identify the regulatory docket or notice number and 
submit the comments in duplicate to the address specified above. All 
comments received on or before the closing date for comments will be 
considered by the Administrator. The special conditions may be changed 
in light of the comments received. All comments received will be 
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons, 
both before and after the closing date for comments. A report 
summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this rulemaking will be filed in the docket. Commenters 
wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in 
response to this notice must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard 
on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to CE285.'' The 
postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Background

    On June 18, 2008, AmSafe Aviation, 1043 North 47th Avenue, Phoenix, 
AZ 85043, applied to add several more models to an existing 
supplemental type certificate. The AML STC allows for the installation 
of inflatable restraints in airplane models included herein that were 
certificated prior to the dynamic seat rule specified in 14 CFR part 
23, Sec.  23.562.
    AmSafe Aviation has previously applied for and obtained an Approved 
Model List (AML) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the 
installation of Inflatable Two-, Three-, Four- or Five-Point Restraint 
Safety Belts with an Integrated Airbag Device in airplanes certificated 
in the Part 23 Normal/Utility and Restricted-Agricultural categories.
    This special condition includes additional normal and utility 
category aircraft.
    The inflatable restraint system is either a two-, three-, four-, or 
five-point safety belt restraint system consisting of a shoulder 
harness and a lap belt with an inflatable airbag attached to either the 
lap belt or the shoulder harness. The inflatable portion of the 
restraint system will rely on sensors to electronically activate the 
inflator for deployment. The inflatable restraint system will be made 
available on the pilot, co-pilot, and passenger seats of these 
airplanes.
    If an emergency landing occurs, the airbag will inflate and provide 
a protective cushion between the occupant's head and structure within 
the airplane. This will reduce the potential for head and torso injury. 
The inflatable restraint behaves in a manner that is similar to an 
automotive airbag. However, in this case, the airbag is integrated into 
the lap or shoulder belt. While airbags and inflatable restraints are 
standard in the automotive industry, the use of an inflatable restraint 
system is novel for aircraft operations.
    The FAA has determined that this project will be accomplished on 
the basis of not lowering the current level of safety of the airplanes' 
original certification basis. The FAA has two primary safety concerns 
with the installation of airbags or inflatable restraints:
     That they perform properly under foreseeable operating 
conditions; and
     That they do not perform in a manner or at such times as 
to impede the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane or 
constitute a hazard to the airplane or occupants.
    The latter point has the potential to be the more rigorous of the 
requirements. An unexpected deployment while conducting the takeoff or 
landing phases of flight may result in an unsafe condition. The 
unexpected deployment may either startle the pilot, or it may generate 
a force sufficient to cause a sudden movement of the control yoke. 
Either action could result in a loss of control of the airplane, the 
consequences of which are magnified due to the low operating altitudes 
during these phases of flight. This consideration is of special concern 
for aircraft designated for agricultural use because these aircraft 
spend a majority of their flight time at low altitudes. The FAA has 
considered this when establishing these amended special conditions.
    The inflatable restraint system relies on sensors to electronically 
activate the inflator for deployment. These sensors could be 
susceptible to inadvertent activation, causing deployment in a 
potentially unsafe manner. The consequences of an inadvertent 
deployment must be considered in establishing the reliability of the 
system. AmSafe Aviation must show that the effects of an inadvertent 
deployment in flight are not a hazard to the airplane or that an 
inadvertent deployment is extremely improbable.
    In addition, general aviation and agricultural aircraft are 
susceptible to a large amount of cumulative wear and tear on a 
restraint system. It is likely that the potential for inadvertent 
deployment increases as a result of this cumulative damage. Therefore, 
the impact of wear and tear on inadvertent deployment must be 
considered. Due to the effects of this cumulative damage, a life limit 
must be established for the appropriate system components in the 
restraint system design.
    There are additional factors to be considered to minimize the 
chances of inadvertent deployment. General aviation airplanes are 
exposed to a unique operating environment, since the same airplane may 
be used by both experienced and student pilots. The effect of this 
environment on inadvertent deployment must be understood. Therefore, 
qualification testing of the firing hardware/software must consider the 
following:
     The airplane vibration levels appropriate for general 
aviation and agricultural airplanes; and
     The inertial loads that result from typical flight/ground 
maneuvers, gusts, hard landings and flight maneuvering unique to both 
general aviation and agricultural aircraft operations.
    Any tendency for the firing mechanism to activate as a result of 
these loads or acceleration levels is unacceptable.
    Other influences on inadvertent deployment include high intensity 
electromagnetic fields (HIRF) and lightning. Since the sensors that 
trigger deployment are electronic, they must be protected from the 
effects of these threats. To comply with HIRF and lightning 
requirements, the AmSafe Aviation inflatable restraint system is 
considered a critical system, since its inadvertent deployment could 
have a hazardous effect on the airplane.
    Given the level of safety of the retrofitted airplane occupant 
restraints,

[[Page 66165]]

the inflatable restraint system must show that it will offer an 
equivalent level of protection in the event of an emergency landing. If 
a deployment occurs, the restraint must still be at least as strong as 
a Technical Standard Order approved belt and shoulder harnesses. There 
is no requirement for the inflatable portion of the restraint to offer 
protection during multiple impacts.
    The inflatable restraint system must deploy and provide protection 
for each occupant during crash conditions as specified in the original 
certification basis. Therefore, the test emergency landing loads 
identified in the original certification basis of the airplane must be 
used to satisfy this requirement. It must be shown that the inflatable 
restraint will deploy and provide protection under crash conditions as 
specified in the original certification basis. Compliance will be 
demonstrated using the test condition specified in the original 
certification basis. It must be shown that the crash sensor will 
trigger when exposed to a rapidly applied deceleration, like an actual 
crash event. Therefore, the test crash pulses identified in Sec.  
23.562 must be used to satisfy this requirement, although the peak 
``G'' may be reduced to a level meeting the original certification 
requirements of the aircraft. Testing to these pulses will demonstrate 
that the crash sensor will trigger when exposed to a rapidly applied 
deceleration, like an actual crash event.
    It is possible a wide range of occupants will use the inflatable 
restraint. Thus, the protection offered by this restraint should be 
effective for occupants that range from the fifth percentile female to 
the ninety-fifth percentile male.
    In support of this operational capability, there must be a means to 
verify the integrity of this system before each flight. As an option, 
AmSafe Aviation can establish inspection intervals where they have 
demonstrated the system to be reliable between these intervals.
    An inflatable restraint may be ``armed'' even though no occupant is 
using the seat. While there will be means to verify the integrity of 
the system before flight, it is also prudent to require that unoccupied 
seats with active restraints not constitute a hazard to any occupant. 
This will protect any individual performing maintenance inside the 
cockpit while the aircraft is on the ground. The restraint must also 
provide suitable visual warnings that would alert rescue personnel to 
the presence of an inflatable restraint system.
    In addition, the design must prevent the inflatable seatbelt from 
being incorrectly buckled and/or installed such that the airbag would 
not properly deploy. As an alternative, AmSafe Aviation may show that 
such deployment is not hazardous to the occupant and will still provide 
the required protection.
    The cabins of the various model airplanes identified in these 
special conditions are confined areas, and the FAA is concerned that 
noxious gases may accumulate if an airbag deploys. When deployment does 
occur, either by design or inadvertently, there must not be a release 
of hazardous quantities of gas or particulate matter into the cockpit.
    An inflatable restraint should not increase the risk already 
associated with fire. Therefore, the inflatable restraint should be 
protected from the effects of fire, so that an additional hazard is not 
created by, for example, a rupture of the inflator.
    Finally, the airbag is likely to have a large volume displacement, 
and it may impede the egress of an occupant. Since the bag deflates to 
absorb energy, it is likely that the inflatable restraint would be 
deflated at the time an occupant would attempt egress. However, it is 
appropriate to specify a time interval after which the inflatable 
restraint may not impede rapid egress. Ten seconds has been chosen as 
reasonable time. This time limit will offer a level of protection 
throughout the impact event.
    Special conditions for the installation of AAIR systems on other 
certificated airplanes have been issued and no substantive public 
comments were received. Since the same special conditions were issued 
multiple times for different model airplanes with no substantive public 
comments, the FAA began issuing direct final special conditions with an 
invitation for public comment. This was done to eliminate the waiting 
period for public comments and to allow AmSafe Aviation to proceed with 
the project.
    These previous special conditions were typically issued for a 
single model airplane or for variants of a model from a single airplane 
manufacturer, and required dynamic testing of each AAIR system 
installation for showing compliance. Since AmSafe Aviation has 
previously demonstrated by dynamic testing, and has the supporting 
data, that the Electronics Module Assembly (EMA) and inflator assembly 
will function as intended in a simulated dynamic emergency landing, it 
is not necessary to repeat the test for each airplane model shown in 
these amended special conditions.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR part 21, Sec.  21.101, AmSafe 
Aviation must show that affected airplane models, as changed, continue 
to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by 
reference in the Type Certificate Numbers listed below or the 
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type 
certificate data sheet are commonly referred to as the original ``type 
certification basis'' and can be found in the Type Certificate Data 
Sheets for the numbers listed below. The following models are covered 
by this amended special condition:

                                                     List of All Airplane Models and Applicable TCDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Make                                 Model                          TC holder                   TCDS               Certification basis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Aerostar.........................  PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600).............  Aerostar Aircraft         A17WE, Revision 22......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                     PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601).............   Corporation.
                                     PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P)...........
                                     PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P)...........
                                     PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P)...........
1 All American.....................  10A..................................  All American Aircraft,    A-792...................  CAR 3.
                                                                             Inc.
1 American Champion (Champion).....  402..................................  American Champion         A3CE, Revision 5........  CAR 3.
                                                                             Aircraft Corp.

[[Page 66166]]

 
1 American Champion (Bellanca)       7AC, 7ACA, 7EC, 7GCB, S7AC, S7EC,      American Champion         A-759, Revision 67......  CAR 4a.
 (Champion) (Aeronca).                7GCBA (L-16A), 7BCM, 7ECA, 7GCBC (L-   Aircraft Corp.
                                      16B), 7CCM, 7FC, 7HC, S7CCM, 7GC,
                                      7JC, 7DC, 7GCA, 7KC, S7DC, 7GCAA,
                                      7KCAB.
1 American Champion (Bellanca)       11AC, S11AC, 11BC, S11BC.............  American Champion         A-761, Revision 17......  CAR 4a.
 (Trytek) (Aeronca).                                                         Aircraft Corp.
1 American Champion (Bellanca)       11CC, S11CC..........................  American Champion         A-796, Revision 14......  CAR 3.
 (Trytek) (Aeronca).                                                         Aircraft Corporation.
1 VARGA (Morrisey).................  2150, 2150A, 2180....................  Augustair, Inc..........  4A19, Revision 9........  CAR 3.
1 Bellanca.........................  14-13, 14-13-2, 14-13-3, 14-13-3W....  Bellanca Aircraft         A-773, Revision 10......  CAR 4a.
                                                                             Corporation.
1 Bellanca.........................  14-9, 14-9L..........................  Bellanca Aircraft         TC716...................  CAR 4a.
                                                                             Corporation.
1 Cessna...........................  120, 140.............................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A-768, Revision 34......  CAR 4a.
1 Cessna...........................  140A.................................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  5A2, Revision 21........  CAR 3.
1 Cessna...........................  150, 150J, 150A, 150K, 150B, A150K,    Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A19, Revision 44.......  CAR 3.
                                      150C, 150L, 150D, A150L, 150E, 150M,
                                      150F, A150M, 150G, 152, 150H, A152.
1 Cessna...........................  170, 170A, 170B......................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A-799, Revision 54......  CAR 3.
1 Cessna...........................  172, 172I, 172A, 172K, 172B, 172L,     Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A12, Revision 73.......  CAR 3.
                                      172C, 172M, 172D, 172N, 172E, 172P,
                                      172F (USAF T-41A), 172Q, 172G, 172H,
                                      (USAF T-41A).
1 Cessna...........................  175, 175A, 175B, 175C, P172D, R172E    Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A17, Revision 45.......  CAR 3.
                                      (USAF T-41B) (USAF T-41C and D),
                                      R172F (USAF T-41D), R172G (USAF T-
                                      41C or D), R172H (USAF T-41D),
                                      R172J, R172K, 172RG.
1 Cessna...........................  177, 177A, 177B......................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A13CE, Revision 24......  14 CFR PART 23.
Cessna.............................  177RG................................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A20CE, Revision 21......  14 CFR PART 23.
Cessna.............................  180, 180E, 180A, 180F, 180B, 180G,     Cessna Aircraft Company.  5A6, Revision 66........  CAR 3.
                                      180C, 180H, 180D, 180J, 180E, 180K.
1 Cessna...........................  182, 182K, 182A, 182L, 182B, 182M,     Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A13, Revision 64.......  CAR 3.
                                      182C, 182N, 182D, 182P, 182E, 182Q,
                                      182F, 182R, 182G, R182, 182H, T182,
                                      182J, TR182.
1 Cessna...........................  185, A185E, 185A, A185F, 185B, 185C,   Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A24, Revision 37.......  CAR 3.
                                      185D, 185E.
Cessna AgWagon.....................  188, 188A, 188B, A188, A188A, A188B,   Cessna Aircraft Company.  A9CE, Revision 27.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      T188C.
1 Cessna...........................  190 (LC-126A,B,C), 195, 195A, 195B...  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A-790, Revision 36......  CAR 3.
1 Cessna...........................  206, U206B, TP206D, P206, U206C,       Cessna Aircraft Company.  A4CE, Revision 43.......  CAR 3.
                                      TP206E, P206A, U206D, TU206A, P206B,
                                      U206E, TU206B, P206C, U206F, TU206C,
                                      P206D, U206G, TU206D, P206E, TP206A,
                                      TU206E, U206, TP206B, TU206F, U206A,
                                      TP206C, TU206G.
1 Cessna...........................  208, 208A, 208B......................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A37CE, Revision 12......  14 CFR PART 23.
1 Cessna...........................  210, 210K, 210A, T210K, 210B, 210L,    Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A21, Revision 46.......  CAR 3.
                                      210C, T210L, 210D, 210M, 210E,
                                      T210M, 210F, 210N, T210F, P210N,
                                      210G, T210N, T210G, 210R, 210H,
                                      P210R, T210H, T210R, 210J, 210-5
                                      (205), T210J, 210-5A (205A).
1 Cessna...........................  310, 310J, 310A(USAF U-3A),310J-1,     Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A10, Revision 62.......  CAR 3.
                                      310B, E310J, 310C, 310K, 310D, 310L,
                                      310E(USAF U-3B), 310N, 310F, 310P,
                                      310G, T310P, 310H, 310Q, E310H,
                                      T310Q, 310I, 310R, T310R.

[[Page 66167]]

 
1 Cessna...........................  320, 320F, 320-1, 335, 320A, 340,      Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A25, Revision 25.......  CAR 3.
                                      320B, 340A, 320C, 320D, 320E.
1 Cessna...........................  321 (Navy OE-2)......................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  3A11, Revision 6........  CAR 3.
1 Cessna...........................  336..................................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A2CE, Revision 7........  CAR 3.
1 Cessna...........................  337A (USAF 02B), T337E, 337B, 337F,    Cessna Aircraft Company.  A6CE, Revision 40.......  CAR 3/14 CFR PART 23.
                                      M337B (USAF 02A), T337F, T337B,
                                      337G, 337C, T337G, T337C, 337H,
                                      337D, P337H, T337D, T337H, T337H-SP.
1 Cessna...........................  401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B,      Cessna Aircraft Company.  A7CE, Revision 46.......  CAR 3.
                                      402C, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421,
                                      421A, 421B, 421C, 425.
1 Cessna...........................  404, 406.............................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A25CE, Revision 11......  14 CFR PART 23.
1 Cessna...........................  441..................................  Cessna Aircraft Company.  A28CE, Revision 12......  14 CFR PART 23.
1 Commander Aircraft...............  Model 112, Model 114, Model 112TC,     Commander Aircraft        A12SO, Revision 21......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      Model 112B, Model 112TCA, Model        Company.
                                      114A, Model 114B, Model 114TC.
Diamond............................  DA20-A1, DA20-C1.....................  Diamond Aircraft          TA4CH, Revision 14......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Industries, Inc..
1 Great Lakes......................  2T-1A, 2T-1A-1, 2T-1A-2..............  Great Lakes Aircraft      A18EA, Revision 10......  Aeronautical Bulletin
                                                                             Company, LLC.                                       No. 7-A.
1 Helio (Taylorcraft)..............  15A, 20..............................  Helio Aircraft            3A3, Revision 7.........  CAR 4a.
                                                                             Corporation.
1 Learjet..........................  23...................................  Learjet Inc.............  A5CE, Revision 10.......  CAR 3.
1 Lockheed.........................  402-2................................  Lockheed Aircraft         2A11, Revision 4........  CAR 3.
                                                                             International.
1 Land-Air (TEMCO) (Luscombe)......  11A, 11E.............................  Luscombe Aircraft         A-804, Revision 14......  CAR 3.
                                                                             Corporation.
1 Maule............................  Bee Dee M-4, M-5-180C, MXT-7-160, M-4- Maule Aerospace           3A23, Revision 30.......  CAR 3.
                                      180V, M-4 M-5-200, MX-7-180A, M-4C,    Technology, Inc.
                                      M-5-210C, MXT-7-180A, M-4S, M-5-
                                      210TC, MX-7-180B, M-4T, M-5-220C, M-
                                      7-235B, M-4-180C, M-5-235C, M-7-
                                      235A, M-4-180S, M-6-180, M-7-235C, M-
                                      4-180T, M-6-235, MX-7-180C, M-4-210,
                                      M-7-235, M-7-260, M-4-210C, MX-7-
                                      235, MT-7-260, M-4-210S, MX-7-180, M-
                                      7-260C, M-4-210T, MX-7-420, M-7-
                                      420AC, M-4-220, MXT-7-180, MX-7-
                                      160C, M-4-220C, MT-7-235, MX-7-
                                      180AC, M-4-220S, M-8-235, M-7-420A,
                                      M-4-220T, MX-7-160, MT-7-420.
1 Mooney...........................  M20, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E,     Mooney Airplane Company,  2A3, Revision 47........  CAR 3.
                                      M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K (Up to S/N 25-  Inc.
                                      2000), M20L.
1 Interceptor (Aero Commander)       200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 400.....  Prop-Jets, Inc..........  3A18, Revision 16.......  CAR 3.
 (Meyers).
1 Beech............................  35-33, J35, 35-A33, K35, 35-B33, M35,  Raytheon Aircraft         3A15, Revision 90.......  CAR 3.
                                      35-C33, N35, 35-C33A, P35, E33, S35,   Company.
                                      E33A, V35, E33C, V35A, F33, V35B,
                                      F33A, 36, F33C, A36, G33, A36TC,
                                      H35, B36TC, G36.
1 Beech............................  45 (YT-34), A45 (T-34A, B-45), D45 (T- Raytheon Aircraft         5A3, Revision 25........  CAR 03.
                                      34B).                                  Company.
1 Beech............................  19A, B23, B19, C23, M19A, A24, 23,     Raytheon Aircraft         A1CE, Revision 34.......  CAR 3.
                                      A24R, A23, B24R, A23A, C24R, A23-19,   Company.
                                      A23-24.
1 Beech............................  3N, 3NM, 3TM, JRB-6, D18C, D18S,       Raytheon Aircraft         A-765...................  Revision 74 CAR 03.
                                      E18S, E18S-9700, G18S, H18, C-45G,     Company.
                                      TC-45G, C-45H, TC-45H, TC-45J or UC-
                                      45J (SNB-5), RC-45J (SNB-5P).
1 Beech............................  35, A35, E35, B35, F35, C35, G35,      Raytheon Aircraft         A-777, Revision 57......  CAR 03.
                                      D35, 35R.                              Company.

[[Page 66168]]

 
1 Raytheon.........................  200, A100-1 (U-21J), 200C, A200 (C-    Raytheon Aircraft         A24CE, Revision 91......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      12A), 200CT, A200 (C-12C), 200T,       Company.
                                      A200C (UC-12B), B200, A200CT (C-
                                      12D), B200C, A200CT (FWC-12D),
                                      B200CT, A200CT (C-12F), B200T,
                                      A200CT (RC-12D), 300, A200CT (RC-
                                      12G), 300LW, A200CT (RC-12H), B300,
                                      A200CT (RC-12K), B300C, A200CT (RC-
                                      12P), 1900, A200CT (RC-12Q), 1900C,
                                      B200C (C-12F), 1900D, B200C (UC-
                                      12M), B200C (C-12R), B200C (UC-12F),
                                      1900C (C-12J).
1 Beech............................  B95A, D55, D95A, D55A, E95, E55, 95-   Raytheon Aircraft         3A16, Revision 81.......  CAR 3.
                                      55, E55A, 95-A55, 56TC, 95-B55,        Company.
                                      A56TC, 95-B55A, 58, 95-B55B (T-42A),
                                      58A, 95-C55, 95, 95-C55A, B95, G58.
1 Beech............................  60, A60, B60.........................  Raytheon Aircraft         A12CE, Revision 23......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Company.
1 Beech............................  58P, 58PA, 58TC, 58TCA...............  Raytheon Aircraft         A23CE, Revision 14......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Company.
1 Cessna...........................  CESSNA F172D.........................  Reims Aviation S.A......  A4EU, Revision 11.......  CAR 10/CAR 3.
                                     CESSNA F172E.........................
                                     CESSNA F172F.........................
                                     CESSNA F172G.........................
                                     CESSNA F172H.........................
                                     CESSNA F172K.........................
                                     CESSNA F172L.........................
                                     CESSNA F172M.........................
                                     CESSNA F172N.........................
                                     CESSNA F172P.........................
1 Socata...........................  TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200....  SOCATA-GROUPE             A51EU, Revision 14......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             AEROSPATIALE.
1 Pitts............................  S-1S, S-1T, S-2, S-2A, S-2S, S-2B, S-  Sky International Inc.    A8SO, Revision 21.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      2C.                                    (Aviat Aircraft, Inc.).
1 Taylorcraft......................  19, F19, F21, F21A, F21B, F22, F22A,   Taylorcraft Aviation,     1A9, Revision 19........  CAR 3.
                                      F22B, F22C.                            LLC.
1 Taylorcraft......................  BC, BCS12-D, BCS, BC12-D1, BC-65,      Taylorcraft Aviation,     A-696, Revision 22......  CAR 04.
                                      BCS12-D1, BCS-65, BC12D-85, BC12-65    LLC.
                                      (Army L-2H), BCS12D-85, BCS12-65,
                                      BC12D-4-85, BC12-D, BCS12D-4-85.
1 Taylorcraft......................  (Army L-2G) BF, BFS, BF-60,BFS-60, BF- Taylorcraft, Inc........  A-699, Revision 5.......  CAR 4a.
                                      65, BFS-65,(Army L-2K) BF 12-65, BFS-
                                      65.
1 Luscombe.........................  8, 8D, 8A, 8E, 8B, 8F, 8C, T-8F......  The Don Luscombe          A-694, Revision 23......  CAR 4a.
                                                                             Aviation History
                                                                             Foundation, Inc.
Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. (Navion)...  Navion (L-17A), Navion A (L-17B) (L-   Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc..  A-782, Revision 51......  CAR 3.
                                      17C),Navion B, Navion D, Navion E,
                                      Navion F, Navion G, Navion H.
Piper..............................  J-3..................................  Piper Aircraft Inc......  ATC 660, Revision 0.....  Not listed.
Piper..............................  J3C-40, J3C-50, J3C-50S, J3C-65, J3C-  Piper Aircraft Inc......  A-691, Revision 33......  CAR 4a.
                                      65S, PA-11, PA-11S.
FS 2003 Corporation (Piper)........  PA-12, PA-12S........................  FS 2003 Corporation.....  A-780, Revision 13......  CAR 3.
FS 2002 Corporation (Piper)........  PA-14................................  FS 2002 Corporation.....  A-797, Revision 11......  CAR 3.
Piper..............................  PA-15................................  Piper Aircraft Inc......  A-800, Revision 11......  CAR 3.
Piper..............................  PA-16, PA-16S........................  Piper Aircraft Inc......  1A1, Revision 13........  CAR 3.
Piper..............................  PA-17................................  Piper Aircraft Inc......  A-805, Revision 12......  CAR 3.
2 Piper............................  PA-18, PA-18S, PA-18A, PA-18S          The New Piper Aircraft,   1A2, Revision 37........  CAR 3.
                                      ``125'', PA-18AS ``125'', PA-18A       Inc.
                                      ``135'', PA-18S ``135'', PA-18AS
                                      ``135'', PA-18 ``150'', PA-18A
                                      ``150'', PA-18S ``150'', PA-18AS
                                      ``150'', PA-19S.
Piper..............................  PA-20, PA-20-115, PA-20-135, PA-20S,   Piper Aircraft Inc......  1A4, Revision 24........  CAR 3.
                                      PA-20S-115, PA-20S-135.

[[Page 66169]]

 
Piper..............................  PA-22, PA-22-108, PA-22-135, PA-22-    Piper Aircraft Inc......  1A6, Revision 34........  CAR 3.
                                      150, PA-22-160, PA-22S-135, PA-22S-
                                      150, PA-22S-160.
Piper..............................  PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-    Piper Aircraft Inc......  1A10, Revision 51.......  CAR 3.
                                      250.
Piper..............................  PA-24, PA-24-250,PA-24-260, PA-24-400  Piper Aircraft Inc......  1A15, Revision 34.......  CAR 3.
1 Piper............................  PA-28-140, PA-28-151, PA-28-150, PA-   The New Piper Aircraft,   2A13, Revision 47.......  CAR 3.
                                      28-161, PA-28-160, PA-28-181, PA-28-   Inc.
                                      180, PA-28R-201, PA-28-235, PA-28R-
                                      201T, PA-28S-160, PA-28-236, PA-28S-
                                      180, PA-28RT-201, PA-28R-180, PA-
                                      28RT-201T, PA-28R-200, PA-28-201T.
1 Piper............................  PA-30, PA-39, PA-40..................  The New Piper Aircraft,   A1EA, Revision 16.......  CAR 3.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-32-260, PA-32R-301 (SP), PA-32-     The New Piper Aircraft,   A3SO, Revision 29.......  CAR 3.
                                      300, PA-32R-301 (HP),PA-32S-300, PA-   Inc.
                                      32R-301T, PA-32R-300, PA-32-301, PA-
                                      32RT-300, PA-32-301T, PA-32RT-300T,
                                      PA-32-301FT, PA-32-301XTC.
1 Piper............................  PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T....  The New Piper Aircraft,   A7SO, Revision 16.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-  The New Piper Aircraft,   A8EA, Revision 22.......  CAR 3.
                                      31T3, PA-31P-350.                      Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-36-285, PA-36-300, PA-36-375......  The New Piper Aircraft,   A9SO, Revision 9........  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-36-285, PA-36-300, PA-36-375......  The New Piper Aircraft,   A10SO, Revision 12......  14 CFR PART 21/14 CFR
                                                                             Inc.                                                PART 23.
Piper..............................  PA-38-112............................  The New Piper Aircraft,   A18SO, Revision 4.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-44-180, PA-44-180T................  The New Piper Aircraft,   A19SO, Revision 9.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-    The New Piper Aircraft,   A20SO, Revision 10......  CAR 3.
                                      350.                                   Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-42, PA-42-720, PA-42-1000.........  The New Piper Aircraft,   A23SO, Revision 17......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
1 Piper............................  PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, PA-46-500TP..  The New Piper Aircraft,   A25SO, Revision 14......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Inc.
Piper..............................  PA-46R-350T..........................  Piper Aircraft, Inc.....  A25SO, Revision 16......  14 CFR PART 23.
1 Tiger Aircraft LLC (American       AA-1, AA-1A, AA-1B, AA-1C............  Tiger Aircraft LLC......  A11EA, Revision 10......  14 CFR PART 23.
 General).
1 Tiger Aircraft...................  AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, AG-5B............  Tiger Aircraft LLC......  A16EA, Revision 13......  14 CFR PART 23.
1 Twin Commander...................  500, 500-A, 500-B, 500-U, 520, 560,    Twin Commander Aircraft   6A1, Revision 45........  CAR 3.
                                      560-A, 560-E, 500-S.                   Corporation.
1 Twin Commander...................  560-F, 681, 680, 690, 680E, 685,       Twin Commander Aircraft   2A4, Revision 46........  CAR 3.
                                      680F, 690A, 720, 690B, 680FL, 690C,    Corporation.
                                      680FL(P), 690D, 680T, 695, 680V,
                                      695A, 680W, 695B.
1 Univair (Stinson)................  108, 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-5......  Univair Aircraft          A-767, Revision 27......  CAR 3.
                                                                             Corporation.
1 Univair..........................  (ERCO) 415-D.........................  Univair Aircraft          A-787, Revision 33......  CAR 3.
                                     (ERCO) E.............................   Corporation.
                                     (ERCO) G
                                     (Forney) F-1
                                     (Forney) F-1A
                                     (Alon) A-2
                                     (Alon) A2-A
                                     (Mooney) M10
1 Univair (Mooney).................  (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD..........  Univair Aircraft          A-718, Revision 29......  CAR 4a.
                                                                             Corporation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following aircraft are certified in the restricted category:

[[Page 66170]]



                                                     List of All Airplane Models and Applicable TCDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Make                                 Model                          TC holder                   TCDS               Certification basis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Tractor........................  AT-250, AT-300, AT-301, AT-302, AT-    Air Tractor, Inc........  A9SW, Revision 12.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      400, AT-400A.
Air Tractor........................  AT-401, AT-401A, AT-401B, AT-402, AT-  Air Tractor, Inc........  A17SW, Revision 10......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                      402A, AT-402B, AT-501, AT-502, AT-
                                      502A, AT-502B, AT-503, AT-503A.
Air Tractor........................  AT-802A, AT-802, AT-602..............  Air Tractor, Inc........  A19SW, Revision 4.......  14 CFR PART 23.
Allied Ag Cat......................  G-164, G-164A, G-164B, G-164B with     Allied Ag Cat             1A16, Revision 24.......  CAR 8.
                                      73'', G-164B-15T, G-164B-34T, G-164B-  Productions, Inc.
                                      20T, G-164C, G-164D, G-164D with
                                      73'' wing gap.
Gippsland Aeronautics..............  GA200................................  Gippsland Aeronautics     A00001LA, Revision 1....  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Pty. Ltd..
2 Piper............................  PA-18A, PA-18A ``135'', PA-18A         The New Piper Aircraft,   AR-7, Revision 11.......  CAR 8.
                                      ``150''.                               Inc.
LAVIA S.A. (Piper).................  PA-25, PA-25-235, PA-25-260..........  Latino Americana De       2A10, Revision 24.......  CAR 8.
                                                                             Aviaci[oacute]n (LAVIA)
                                                                             S.A.
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Snow,         S-2B, S-2C, 600-S2C..................  Thrush Aircraft, Inc....  2A7, Revision 16........  CAR 8.
 Rockwell, Ayres).
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Snow,         600 S-2D, S-2R, S2R-T34, S2R-T15, S2R- Thrush Aircraft, Inc....  A3SW, Revision 18.......  CAR 3.
 Rockwell, Ayres).                    T11, S2R-R3S, S2R-R1340.
Thrush Aircraft, Inc. (Snow,         600 S2D, S2R-R1340, S2R-G10, S-2R,     Thrush Aircraft, Inc....  A4SW, Revision 28.......  CAR 8.
 Rockwell, Ayres).                    S2R-R1820, S2R-G5, S2R-T34, S2R-T65,
                                      S2R-G1, S2R-T15, S2RHG-T65, S2RHG-
                                      T34, S2R-R3S, S2R-T45, S2R-T660, S2R-
                                      T11, S2R-G6.
Weatherly..........................  620, 620TP, 620A, 620B, 620B-TG......  Weatherly Aircraft        A26WE, Revision 7.......  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Company.
3 Ximango..........................  AMT-100, AMT-200, AMT-300, AMT-200S..  Aeromot-Industria         TG00004AT, Revision 4...  14 CFR PART 23.
                                                                             Mecanico Metalugica Ltd.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft identified with a 1 have special conditions for AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraints published under Special Conditions 23-182-SC.
Piper PA-18A, PA-18A ``135'' and PA-18A ``150'' (identified with a 2) are type certificated in Normal/Utility Category on TCDS 1A2 and in Restricted
  Category on TCDS AR-7. The same aircraft may be operated under either TCDS in accordance with the restrictions listed on TCDS AR-7.
Ximango (identified with a 3) is certificated in the Utility Category.

    For all the models listed above, the certification basis also 
includes all exemptions, if any; equivalent level of safety findings, 
if any; and the other special conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., part 23 as amended) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the AmSafe Aviation, inflatable 
restraint as installed on these models because of a novel or unusual 
design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions 
of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions, as appropriate, as defined in Sec.  11.19, are 
issued in accordance with Sec.  11.38, and become part of the type 
certification basis in accordance with Sec.  21.101.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
the special conditions would also apply to that model under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The various airplane models will incorporate the following novel or 
unusual design feature:
    The AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Two-, Three-, Four-, or Five-Point 
Restraint Safety Belt with an Integrated Airbag Device.
    The purpose of the airbag is to reduce the potential for injury in 
the event of an accident. In a severe impact, an airbag will deploy 
from the restraint, in a manner similar to an automotive airbag. The 
airbag will deploy between the head of the occupant and airplane 
interior structure. This will, therefore, provide some protection to 
the head of the occupant. The restraint will rely on sensors to 
electronically activate the inflator for deployment.
    The Code of Federal Regulations state performance criteria for 
seats and restraints in an objective manner. However, none of these 
criteria are adequate to address the specific issues raised concerning 
inflatable restraints. Therefore, the FAA has determined that, in 
addition to the requirements of part 21 and part 23, special conditions 
are needed to address the installation of this inflatable restraint.
    Accordingly, these amended special conditions are adopted for the 
various airplane models equipped with the AmSafe Aviation, two-, three-
, four, or five-point inflatable restraint. Other conditions may be 
developed, as needed, based on further FAA review and discussions with 
the manufacturer and civil aviation authorities.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these amended special conditions are applicable 
to the Approved Model List (AML) above. Should AmSafe Aviation apply at 
a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other 
model included on the type certificates listed above to incorporate the 
same novel or unusual

[[Page 66171]]

design feature, the special conditions would apply to that model as 
well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on the previously identified airplane models. It is not a rule of 
general applicability, and it affects only the applicant who applied to 
the FAA for approval of these features on the airplane.
    Under standard practice, the effective date of final special 
conditions would be 30 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register; however, as the certification date for these airplane 
models, as modified by AmSafe Aviation, is imminent, the FAA finds that 
good cause exists to make these amended special conditions effective 
upon issuance.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

Citation

0
The authority citation for these amended special conditions is as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 
21.101; and 14 CFR 11.38 and 11.19.

The Amended Special Conditions

    The FAA has determined that this project will be accomplished on 
the basis of not lowering the current level of safety of the occupant 
restraint system for the airplane models listed in these special 
conditions. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing the following amended 
special conditions as part of the type certification basis for these 
models, as modified by AmSafe, Aviation.
    Inflatable Two-, Three-, Four-, or Five-Point Restraint Safety Belt 
with an Integrated Airbag Device Installed in an Airplane Model.
    1a. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint will provide 
restraint protection under the emergency landing conditions specified 
in the original certification basis of the airplane. Compliance will be 
demonstrated using the static test conditions specified in the original 
certification basis for each airplane.
    1b. It must be shown that the crash sensor will trigger when 
exposed to a rapidly applied deceleration, like an actual emergency 
landing event. Therefore, compliance may be demonstrated using the 
deceleration pulse specified in Sec.  23.562, which may be modified as 
follows:

    I. The peak longitudinal deceleration may be reduced; however, 
the onset rate of the deceleration must be equal to or greater than 
the emergency landing pulse identified in Sec.  23.562.
    II. The peak longitudinal deceleration must be above the 
deployment threshold of the sensor, and equal or greater than the 
forward static design longitudinal load factor required by the 
original certification basis of the airplane.

    2. The inflatable restraint must provide adequate protection for 
each occupant. In addition, unoccupied seats that have an active 
restraint must not constitute a hazard to any occupant.
    3. The design must prevent the inflatable restraint from being 
incorrectly buckled and/or incorrectly installed such that the airbag 
would not properly deploy. Alternatively, it must be shown that such 
deployment is not hazardous to the occupant and will provide the 
required protection.
    4. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint system is not 
susceptible to inadvertent deployment as a result of wear and tear or 
the inertial loads resulting from in-flight or ground maneuvers 
(including gusts and hard landings) that are likely to be experienced 
in service.
    5. It must be extremely improbable for an inadvertent deployment of 
the restraint system to occur, or an inadvertent deployment must not 
impede the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane or cause 
an unsafe condition (or hazard to the airplane). In addition, a 
deployed inflatable restraint must be at least as strong as a Technical 
Standard Order (C22g or C114) restraint.
    6. It must be shown that deployment of the inflatable restraint 
system is not hazardous to the occupant or will not result in injuries 
that could impede rapid egress. This assessment should include 
occupants whose restraints are loosely fastened.
    7. It must be shown that an inadvertent deployment that could cause 
injury to a sitting person is improbable. In addition, the restraint 
must also provide suitable visual warnings that would alert rescue 
personnel to the presence of an inflatable restraint system.
    8. It must be shown that the inflatable restraint will not impede 
rapid egress of the occupants 10 seconds after its deployment.
    9. For the purposes of complying with HIRF and lightning 
requirements, the inflatable restraint system is considered a critical 
system since its deployment could have a hazardous effect on the 
airplane.
    10. It must be shown that the inflatable restraints will not 
release hazardous quantities of gas or particulate matter into the 
cabin.
    11. The inflatable restraint system installation must be protected 
from the effects of fire such that no hazard to occupants will result.
    12. There must be a means to verify the integrity of the inflatable 
restraint activation system before each flight or it must be 
demonstrated to reliably operate between inspection intervals.
    13. A life limit must be established for appropriate system 
components.
    14. Qualification testing of the internal firing mechanism must be 
performed at vibration levels appropriate for a general aviation 
airplane.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on October 31, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-26663 Filed 11-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P