[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7054-7055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02495]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0601; Special Conditions No. 25-527-SC]


Special Conditions: Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10; Airplane 
Fuselage Post-Crash Fire Survivability

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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[[Page 7055]]

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Inc. Model 
LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design 
feature associated with advanced composite materials in the 
construction of its fuselage and wings. 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: Effective Date: March 10, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Sinclair, Airframe/Cabin Safety 
Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-
2195; facsimile 425-227-1320; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On February 9, 2009, Learjet Inc. applied for a type certificate 
for their new Model LJ-200-1A10. The Model LJ-200-1A10 is a business-
class airplane with two high-bypass turbine engines and interior 
seating configuration for up to 10 passengers. The Model LJ-200-1A10 is 
the first airplane manufactured by Learjet Inc. to utilize advanced 
composite materials in the construction of its fuselage and wings.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Learjet Inc. must show that the Model LJ-200-1A10 meets the 
applicable provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 
25-127.
    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 Model LJ-200-1A10 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 or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Model LJ-200-1A10 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, and the FAA must issue a 
finding of regulatory adequacy under Sec.  611 of Public Law 92-574, 
the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    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 Model LJ-200-1A10 will incorporate the following novel or 
unusual design features:
    The Model LJ-200-1A10 is the first airplane manufactured by Learjet 
Inc. to utilize advanced composite materials in the construction of its 
fuselage and wings. In accordance with Sec.  21.16, fuselage structure 
fabricated from monolithic carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) 
prepreg material (reinforcement fiber pre-impregnated with a 
thermoplastic or thermoset resin matrix) constitutes a novel and 
unusual design feature for a large transport-category airplane 
certificated under 14 CFR part 25.

Discussion

    Existing regulations do not adequately ensure that composite 
structure offers passengers the same protection from an on-ground, 
post-crash fire condition as would a conventional aluminum structure. 
Learjet is introducing a new material that may have different toxicity 
characteristics than those of traditional materials. Service experience 
has shown that, in post-crash fires, traditional aluminum structural 
materials emit acceptable toxicity levels. Therefore, it is necessary 
to ensure that the material being utilized does not reduce the 
survivability of the passengers during a post-crash fire, or provide 
levels of toxic fumes that would be lethal or incapacitating, 
preventing evacuation of the aircraft following a crash scenario.
    These special conditions are necessary to ensure a level of safety 
equivalent to that provided by 14 CFR part 25. Regulations applicable 
to burn requirements, including Sec. Sec.  25.853 and 25.856(a), remain 
valid for this airplane but do not reflect the threat generated from 
toxic levels of gases produced from carbon-fiber/resin system materials 
following a post-crash fire.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions no. 25-13-13-SC, for Learjet 
Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register 
on November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66317). No comments were received, and the 
special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Model LJ-200-1A10. Should Learjet Inc. apply at a later date for a 
change to the type certificate to include another airplane model 
incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, the special 
conditions would apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

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

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(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 Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 
airplanes.
    The Learjet Model LJ-200-1A10 must show that toxic levels of gases 
produced from the composite-material system are in no way an additional 
threat to the passengers and their ability to evacuate when compared to 
an aluminum-constructed aircraft.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 31, 2014.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02495 Filed 2-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P