[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7799-7802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02139]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0476; Special Conditions No. 25-780-SC]


Special Conditions: TC Inter-Informatics A.S., Airbus Model A330-
243 Airplane; Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats With 
Inflatable Lapbelts

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 Airbus Model A330-
243 series airplane. This airplane, as modified by TC Inter-Informatics 
A.S. (TC Inter-Informatics), 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 single-occupant, oblique B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seats, 
equipped with inflatable lapbelts. 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 TC Inter-Informatics on February 2, 
2021. Send comments on or before March 19, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2020-0476 using 
any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow

[[Page 7800]]

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: Except for Confidential Business Information 
(CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as 
described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received 
without change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal 
information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing 
each substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.
     Confidential Business Information: Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both 
customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 
public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this Notice contain 
commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as 
private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or 
responsive to this Notice, it is important that you clearly designate 
the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission 
containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked 
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and the indicated comments 
will not be placed in the public docket of this Notice. Send 
submissions containing CBI to the person indicated in the Contact 
section below. Comments the FAA receives, which are not specifically 
designated as CBI, will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.
     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: Alan Sinclair, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Section, AIR-675, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and 
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3215; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions 
previously has been published in the Federal Register for public 
comment. These special conditions have 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, the FAA has determined that prior public 
notice and comment are unnecessary, and finds that, for the same 
reason, good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon 
publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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.
    The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date for 
comments. The FAA may change these special conditions based on the 
comments received.

Background

    On March 21, 2017, TC Inter-Informatics applied for a supplemental 
type certificate to install B/E Aerospace Super Diamond specific Model 
1031301 seats, equipped with inflatable restraint systems, at oblique 
angles of 27.25 and 30 degrees to the longitudinal centerline on Airbus 
Model A330-243 airplanes. The Airbus Model A330-243 airplane, which is 
a derivative of the Airbus Model A330 airplane currently approved under 
Type Certificate No. A46NM, is a twin-engine, transport-category 
airplane with a maximum takeoff weight of 507,063 pounds and seating 
for 375 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, TC Inter-Informatics must show that the Airbus Model A330-
243 airplane, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions 
of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A46NM or the 
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (e.g., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Airbus Model A330-243 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 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, 
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 Airbus Model A330-243 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.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Airbus Model A330-243 airplane, as modified by TC Inter-
Informatics, will incorporate the following novel or unusual design 
feature:
    Single-occupant, oblique seats equipped with inflatable lapbelts.

Discussion

    Amendment 25-15 to part 25, dated October 24, 1967, introduced the 
subject of side-facing seats, and a requirement that each occupant in a 
side-facing seat must be protected from head injury by a safety belt 
and a cushioned rest that will support the arms, shoulders, head, and 
spine.
    Subsequently, amendment 25-20, dated April 23, 1969, clarified the 
definition of side-facing seats to require that each occupant of a 
seat, positioned at more than an 18-degree angle to the vertical plane 
of the airplane longitudinal centerline, must be protected from head 
injury by a safety belt and an energy-absorbing rest that will support 
the arms, shoulders, head, and spine; or by a safety belt and shoulder 
harness that will prevent the head from contacting any injurious 
object. The FAA concluded that an 18-degree angle would provide an 
adequate level of safety based on tests that were performed at that 
time, and thus adopted that standard.

[[Page 7801]]

    Part 25 was amended June 16, 1988, by amendment 25-64, to revise 
the emergency-landing conditions that must be considered in the design 
of the airplane. Amendment 25-64 revised the static-load conditions in 
14 CFR 25.561, and added the new Sec.  25.562 that requires dynamic 
testing for all seats approved for occupancy during takeoff and 
landing. The intent of amendment 25-64 is to provide an improved level 
of safety for occupants on transport-category airplanes. Because most 
seating is forward-facing on transport-category airplanes, the pass/
fail criteria developed in amendment 25-64 focused primarily on these 
seats. As a result, the FAA issued Policy Memorandums ANM-03-115-30 and 
PS-ANM-100-2000-00123 to provide the additional guidance necessary to 
demonstrate the level of safety required by the regulations for side-
facing seats.
    To reflect current research findings, the FAA issued PS-ANM-25-03-
R1, ``Technical Criteria for Approving Side-Facing Seats,'' November 5, 
2012, which updates injury criteria for fully side-facing seats. This 
policy statement was issued to define revised injury criteria 
associated with neck and leg injuries.
    The proposed Airbus Model A330-243 airplane, with an oblique 
seating configuration by TC Inter-Informatics, is novel such that the 
Airbus Model A330-243 airplane certification basis does not adequately 
address protection of the occupant's neck and spine for seat 
configurations that are positioned at an angle greater than 18 degrees 
from the airplane centerline. Therefore, the TC Inter-Informatics 
proposed configuration requires new special conditions.
    These special conditions will provide head-injury criteria, neck-
injury criteria, spine-injury criteria, and body-to-wall contact 
criteria. They 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

    These special conditions are applicable to Airbus Model A330-243 
airplanes with B/E Aerospace Super Diamond business class seats 
installed, per TC Inter-Informatics project-specific certification plan 
JD-45AC01-1. Should TC Inter-Informatics apply at a later date for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on 
Type Certificate No. A46NM to incorporate 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, 
and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of 
this feature on the airplane.

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 Airbus Model A330-243 airplanes as 
modified by TC Inter-Informatics.

Single-Occupant, Oblique (Side-Facing) Seats Special Conditions

1. Existing Criteria
    All injury protection criteria of Sec.  25.562(c)(1) through (c)(6) 
apply to the occupant of an oblique (side-facing) seat. Head-injury 
criterion (HIC) assessments are only required for head contact with the 
seat and adjacent structures. If the ATD has no apparent contact with a 
seat or structure, but does have contact with an inflatable restraint, 
the HIC15 score for that contact must be less than 700.
2. Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact Criteria
    If an oblique seat is installed aft of structure (e.g., an interior 
wall or furnishing) that does not provide a homogenous contact surface 
for the expected range of occupants and yaw angles, then additional 
analysis or tests may be required to demonstrate that the injury 
criteria are met for the area which an occupant could contact. For 
example, if different yaw angles could result in different inflatable-
restraint performance, then additional analysis or separate tests may 
be necessary to evaluate performance.
3. Neck-Injury Criteria
    The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing 
serious neck injury. The assessment of neck injury must be conducted 
with the inflatable restraint activated, unless there is reason to also 
consider that the neck-injury potential would be higher below the 
inflatable restraint threshold. If so, additional tests may be 
required.
    a. The Nij (calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 
571.208) must be below 1.0, where Nij = Fz/
Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij 
intercepts limited to:

i. Fzc = 1530 lb. for tension
ii. Fzc = 1385 lb. for compression
iii. Myc = 229 lb-ft in flexion
iv. Myc = 100 lb-ft in extension

    b. In addition, peak Fz must be below 937 lb. in tension 
and 899 lb. in compression.
    c. Rotation of the head about its vertical axis relative to the 
torso is limited to 105 degrees in either direction from forward-
facing.
    d. The neck must not impact any surface.
4. Spine and Torso Injury Criteria
    a. The shoulders must remain aligned with the hips throughout the 
impact sequence, or support for the upper torso must be provided to 
prevent forward or lateral flailing beyond 45 degrees from the vertical 
during significant spinal loading.
    b. Significant concentrated loading on the occupant's spine, in the 
area between the pelvis and shoulders during impact, including rebound, 
is not acceptable.
    c. Occupant must not interact with the armrest or other seat 
components in any manner significantly different than would be expected 
for a forward-facing seat installation.
5. Longitudinal Tests
    These must be performed, as necessary, with the Hybrid III ATD, 
undeformed floor, most critical yaw cases for injury, and with all 
lateral structural supports (armrests and walls) installed. For the 
pass/fail injury assessments, see the criteria listed in special 
conditions 1 through 4, above.

    Note:  TC Inter-Informatics A.S. must demonstrate that the 
installation of seats via plinths or pallets meets all applicable 
requirements. Compliance with the guidance contained in FAA Policy 
Memorandum PS-ANM-100-2000-00123, dated February 2, 2000, titled 
``Guidance for Demonstrating Compliance with Seat Dynamic Testing 
for Plinths and Pallets,'' is acceptable to the FAA.

Inflatable Lapbelt Conditions

    If inflatable lapbelts are installed on single-place side-facing 
seats, the inflatable lapbelts must meet the requirements of Special 
Conditions No. 25-395-SC.


[[Page 7802]]


    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on January 27, 2021.
Suzanne Masterson,
Manager, Transport Airplane Strategic Policy Section, Policy and 
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-02139 Filed 2-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P