[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58243-58245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23042]
[[Page 58243]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0737; Special Conditions No. 25-570-SC]
Special Conditions: Boeing, Model 767-200/-300 Series Airplane,
as Modified by Avionics Support Group; Installed Rechargeable Lithium
Batteries and Battery Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing, Model 767-
200/-300 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Avionics
Support Group, will have a novel or unusual design feature when
compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness
standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is an
ePhone handset for use with the ICS SATCOM System that will use
rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems. 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: The effective date of these special conditions is September 29,
2014. We must receive your comments by November 13, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2014-0737
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 Web site, 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), as well as at http:// DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
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: Nazih Khaouly, FAA, Airplane and
Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay
issuance of the design approval 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 special conditions effective upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data.
We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments
we receive.
Background
On March 3, 2014, Avionics Support Group applied for a supplemental
type certificate (STC) for the installation of an ePhone handset for
use with the ICG ICS-120A/220A SATCOM System that will use rechargeable
lithium batteries and battery systems. The Model 767-200/-300 series
airplanes are transport category airplanes powered by two turbo-fan
engines.
Rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design
feature in transport category airplanes. This type of battery has
certain failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that
differ significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on transport
category airplanes.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Avionics Support Group must
show that the Model 767-200/-300, as changed, continues to meet the
applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in
Type Certificate No. A1NM or the applicable regulations in effect on
the date of application for the change. The regulations incorporated by
reference in the type certificate are commonly referred to as the
``original type certification basis.''
In addition, if the regulations incorporated by reference do not
provide adequate standards regarding the change, the applicant must
comply with certain regulations in effect on the date of application
for the change.
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 767-200/-300 series
airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, special
conditions are prescribed under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.16.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for an STC 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 the other model.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Model 767-200/-300 series airplanes 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 14 CFR 21.101.
[[Page 58244]]
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Model 767-200/-300 series airplanes will incorporate the
following novel or unusual design feature: The installation of an
ePhone handset for use with the ICG ICS-120A/220A SATCOM System that
will use rechargeable lithium batteries and battery system.
Discussion
The current regulations governing installation of batteries in
large transport-category airplanes were derived from Civil Air
Regulations (CAR) part 4b.625(d) as part of the re-codification of CAR
4b that established 14 CFR part 25 in February 1965. The new battery
requirements, Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4), basically reworded
the CAR requirements.
Increased use of nickel-cadmium batteries in small airplanes
resulted in increased incidents of battery fires and failures that led
to additional rulemaking affecting large transport category airplanes
as well as small airplanes. On September 1, 1977, and March 1, 1978,
the FAA issued Sec. 25.1353(c)(5) and (c)(6), respectively, governing
nickel-cadmium battery installations on large transport-category
airplanes.
The proposed use of rechargeable lithium batteries for equipment
and systems on the Model 767-200/-300 series airplanes prompted the FAA
to review the adequacy of these existing regulations. Our review
indicates that the existing regulations do not adequately address
several failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics of
rechargeable lithium batteries that could affect the safety and
reliability of the lithium battery installations.
At present, there is limited experience with the use of
rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems in applications
involving commercial aviation. However, other users of this technology,
ranging from wireless telephone manufacturers to the electric-vehicle
industry, have noted safety problems with rechargeable lithium
batteries. These problems include overcharging, over-discharging, and
flammability of cell components.
1. Overcharging
In general, lithium batteries are significantly more susceptible to
internal failures that can result in self-sustaining increases in
temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal runaway) than their nickel-
cadmium or lead-acid counterparts. This condition is especially true
for overcharging, which causes heating and destabilization of the
components of the cell, leading to the formation (by plating) of highly
unstable metallic lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite, resulting
in a self-sustaining fire or explosion. Finally, the severity of
thermal runaway, due to overcharging, increases with increasing battery
capacity due to the higher amount of electrolyte in large batteries.
2. Over-Discharging
Discharge of some types of lithium battery cells beyond a certain
voltage (typically 2.4 volts), can cause corrosion of the electrodes of
the cell, resulting in loss of battery capacity that cannot be reversed
by recharging. This loss of capacity may not be detected by the simple
voltage measurements commonly available to flightcrews as a means of
checking battery status--a problem shared with nickel-cadmium
batteries.
3. Flammability of Cell Components
Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries, some types of
lithium batteries use liquid electrolytes that are flammable. The
electrolyte can serve as a source of fuel for an external fire, if
there is a breach of the battery container.
These problems experienced by users of lithium batteries raise
concern about the use of these batteries in commercial aviation. The
intent of the special conditions are to establish appropriate
airworthiness standards for lithium battery installations in the Model
767-200/-300 series airplanes and to ensure, as required by Sec. Sec.
25.1309 and 25.601, that these batteries are not hazardous or
unreliable.
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.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to
Boeing Model 767-200/-300 series airplanes. Should Avionics Support
Group apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to
modify any other model included on Type Certificate No. A1NM to
incorporate 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 two airplane model series. It is not a rule of general applicability
and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of
these features on the airplane.
The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is
imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment
are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting
these special conditions upon publication in the Federal Register. The
FAA is requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views
that may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities
for comment described above.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
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 Boeing Model 767-200/-300 series
airplanes modified by Avionics Support Group.
Installed Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems.
These special conditions require that (1) all characteristics of
the rechargeable lithium batteries and battery installation that could
affect safe operation of the Model 767-200/-300 series airplanes are
addressed; and (2) appropriate instructions for continued
airworthiness, which include maintenance requirements, are established
to ensure the availability of electrical power, when needed, from the
batteries.
In lieu of the requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) 25.1353(b)(1) through (b)(4) at Amendment 25-123,
all rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems on Model 767-
200/-300 series airplanes, modified by Avionics Support Group, must be
designed and installed as follows:
1. Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during
any foreseeable charging or discharging
[[Page 58245]]
condition and during any failure of the charging or battery monitoring
system not shown to be extremely remote. The rechargeable lithium
battery installation must preclude explosion in the event of those
failures.
2. Design of the rechargeable lithium batteries must preclude the
occurrence of self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or
pressure.
3. No explosive or toxic gases emitted by any rechargeable lithium
battery in normal operation, or as the result of any failure of the
battery charging system, monitoring system, or battery installation
which is not shown to be extremely remote, may accumulate in hazardous
quantities within the airplane.
4. Installations of rechargeable lithium batteries must meet the
requirements of Sec. 25.863(a) through (d).
5. No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any
rechargeable lithium battery may damage surrounding structure or any
adjacent systems, equipment, or electrical wiring of the airplane in
such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure condition, in
accordance with Sec. 25.1309(b) and applicable regulatory guidance.
6. Each rechargeable lithium battery installation must have
provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential
systems caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery can generate
during a short circuit of the battery or of its individual cells.
7. Rechargeable lithium battery installations must have a system to
control the charging rate of the battery automatically, so as to
prevent battery overheating or overcharging, and,
a. A battery temperature sensing and over-temperature warning
system with a means for automatically disconnecting the battery from
its charging source in the event of an over-temperature condition, or,
b. A battery failure sensing and warning system with a means for
automatically disconnecting the battery from its charging source in the
event of battery failure.
8. Any rechargeable lithium battery installation, the function of
which is required for safe operation of the airplane, must incorporate
a monitoring and warning feature that will provide an indication to the
appropriate flight crewmembers whenever the state-of-charge of the
batteries has fallen below levels considered acceptable for dispatch of
the airplane.
9. The instructions for continued airworthiness required by Sec.
25.1529 must contain maintenance requirements to assure that the
battery is sufficiently charged at appropriate intervals specified by
the battery manufacturer and the equipment manufacturer that contain
the rechargeable lithium battery or rechargeable lithium battery
system. This is required to ensure that lithium rechargeable batteries
and lithium rechargeable battery systems will not degrade below
specified ampere-hour levels sufficient to power the airplane systems
for intended applications. The instructions for continued airworthiness
must also contain procedures for the maintenance of batteries in spares
storage to prevent the replacement of batteries with batteries that
have experienced degraded charge retention ability or other damage due
to prolonged storage at a low state of charge. Replacement batteries
must be of the same manufacturer and part number as approved by the
FAA. Precautions should be included in the instructions for continued
airworthiness maintenance instructions to prevent mishandling of the
rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery systems,
which could result in short-circuit or other unintentional impact
damage caused by dropping or other destructive means that could result
in personal injury or property damage.
Note 1: The term ``sufficiently charged'' means that the
battery will retain enough of a charge, expressed in ampere-hours,
to ensure that the battery cells will not be damaged. A battery cell
may be damaged by lowering the charge below a point where the
battery experiences a reduction in the ability to charge and retain
a full charge. This reduction would be greater than the reduction
that may result from normal operational degradation.
Note 2: These special conditions are not intended to replace
Sec. 25.1353(b) in the certification basis of airplane Model 767-
200/-300 series airplanes. These special conditions apply only to
rechargeable lithium batteries and lithium battery systems and their
installations. The requirements of Sec. 25.1353(b) remain in effect
for batteries and battery installations on Model 767-200/-300 series
airplanes that do not use lithium batteries.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 19, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23042 Filed 9-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P