[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 167 (Monday, August 31, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44727-44730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20698]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM410; Special Conditions No. 25-389-SC]
Special Conditions: Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Modification to
Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 Airplanes: Lithium-Battery Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A330-
200 and A330-300 airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Rosemount
Aerospace, will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with
lithium batteries. 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
[[Page 44728]]
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is August 20,
2009. We must receive your comments by October 15, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal
Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules
Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM410. 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington, 98057-3356. You may deliver two copies to the Transport
Airplane Directorate at the above address. You must mark your comments:
Docket No. NM410. You can inspect comments in the Rules Docket
weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nazih Khaouly, ANM-111, Transport
Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2432; facsimile
(425) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected
airplane. 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
issuance.
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 ask
that you send us two copies of written comments.
We will file in the docket all comments we receive, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
about these special conditions. You can inspect the docket before and
after the comment closing date. If you wish to review the docket in
person, go to the address in the ADDRESSES section of this preamble
between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
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.
If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your comments on these
special conditions, include with your comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which you have written the docket number. We will
stamp the date on the postcard and mail it back to you.
Background
On April 15, 2008, Rosemount Aerospace Inc. applied for a
supplemental type certificate for installation of a cargo video-
surveillance system (CVSS) in Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300
airplanes. The CVSS uses or otherwise incorporates lithium batteries.
Existing regulations do not adequately address several
characteristics of lithium batteries. Lithium-battery installations
could affect the safety and reliability of the Airbus Model A330-200
and A330-300 airplanes. These special conditions address
characteristics of, and safety measures required for, lithium-battery
installations.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Sec. 21.101, Rosemount Aerospace Inc. must
show that the Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes, as changed,
continue to meet the applicable provisions of the regulation
incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A46NM 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.'' The regulation incorporated by reference in
A46NM is 14 CFR 25.1353 at Amendment 25-38.
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 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. CVSS
because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are
prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 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 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).
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 the other model under Sec.
21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Rosemount Aerospace Inc. modification to Airbus Model A330-200
and A330-300 airplanes will incorporate the following novel or unusual
design feature: a lithium-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, which
led to additional rulemaking affecting large, transport-category
airplanes as well as small airplanes. On September 1, 1977, and March
1, 1978, respectively, the FAA issued Sec. 25.1353(c)(5) and (c)(6),
governing nickel-cadmium battery installations on large, transport-
category airplanes.
The proposed use of lithium batteries for equipment and systems on
the Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes has 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
lithium batteries that could affect the safety and reliability of
lithium-battery installations on Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300
airplanes.
At present, there is limited experience with use of rechargeable
lithium batteries 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 lithium batteries. These problems include
overcharging,
[[Page 44729]]
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 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 batteries 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 flight crews 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 the
battery container is breached.
These problems, experienced by users of lithium batteries, raise
concerns about the use of these batteries in commercial aviation. The
intent of the proposed special conditions is to establish appropriate
airworthiness standards for lithium-battery installations in the Airbus
Model A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes and to ensure, as required by
Sec. Sec. 25.1309 and 25.601, that these battery installations are not
hazardous or unreliable.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Rosemount Aerospace Inc., cargo video-surveillance systems. Should
Rosemount Aerospace Inc. apply at a later date for a supplemental type
certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate No.
A46NW, 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 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. CSVVs installed on Airbus Model A330-200
and A330-300 airplanes. 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 issuance. 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.
0
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 Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300
airplanes modified by Rosemount Aerospace Inc. lithium batteries, and
battery installations on Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes
must be designed and installed as follows:
1. Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during
any foreseeable charging or discharging condition, and during any
failure of the charging or battery-monitoring system not shown to be
extremely remote. The lithium-battery installation must preclude
explosion in the event of those failures.
2. Design of the lithium batteries must preclude the occurrence of
self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
3. No explosive or toxic gases, emitted by any 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 lithium batteries must meet the requirements of
Sec. 25.863(a) through (d).
5. No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any 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 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. Lithium-battery installations must have a system to
automatically control the charging rate of the battery, 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 lithium-battery installation, the function of which is
required for safe operation of the airplane, must incorporate a
monitoring-and-warning feature that provides an indication to the
appropriate flight-crew members when the state-of-charge of the
batteries has fallen below levels considered acceptable for dispatch of
the airplane.
9. The instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), required by
Sec. 25.1529 (and 26.11), must contain maintenance steps to:
a. Assure that the lithium battery is sufficiently charged at
appropriate intervals specified by the battery manufacturer.
b. Ensure the integrity of lithium batteries in spares-storage to
prevent the replacement of batteries, whose function is required for
safe operation of the airplane, with batteries that have experienced
degraded charge-retention ability or other damage due to
[[Page 44730]]
prolonged storage at a low state of charge.
The ICA maintenance procedures must contain precautions to prevent
mishandling of the lithium battery, which could result in short-circuit
or other unintentional damage that, in turn, 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's
ability to charge and retain a full charge is reduced. 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 the Airbus Model
A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes. These special conditions apply only
to lithium batteries and their installations. The requirements of
Sec. 25.1353(b) remain in effect for batteries and battery
installations in Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes that
do not use lithium batteries.
Compliance with the requirements of these special conditions must
be shown by test, or analysis by the Aircraft Certification Office or
its designees, with the concurrence of the FAA Transport Airplane
Directorate.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-20698 Filed 8-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P