[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33553-33556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14195]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 23
[Docket No. CE307; Notice No. 23-10-01-SC]
Special Conditions: AeroMech, Incorporated; Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation, Model B200 and Other Aircraft Listed in Table 1, Approved
Model List (AML); Installation of MD835 Lithium Ion Battery
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the AeroMech,
Incorporated; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, model B200 and other part
23 aircraft listed on the AML. These airplanes as modified by AeroMech,
Incorporated will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated
with installation of the Mid-Continent Instruments MD835 Lithium Ion
(Li-ion) battery. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not
contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design
feature. These proposed 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: We must receive your comments by July 14, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Mail two copies of your comments to: Federal Aviation
Administration, Regional Counsel, ACE-7, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106. You may deliver two copies to the Small Airplane
Directorate at the above address. Mark your comments: Docket No. CE307.
You may inspect comments in the Rules Docket weekdays, except Federal
holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Brady, Regulations and Policy
Branch, ACE-111, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-4132; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite interested persons to submit written data, views, or
arguments as they desire. 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
concerning these special conditions. You may 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 on or before the closing
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.
If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this
proposal, include with your comments a pre-addressed, stamped postcard
on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the
postcard and mail it back to you.
Background
On September 18, 2009, AeroMech, Incorporated applied for a
supplemental type certificate AML for installation of the Mid-Continent
Instruments MD835 Li-ion battery in the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation,
B200 and other aircraft listed on the AML. The AML covers part 23
aircraft that currently use the PS-835 lead-acid emergency battery.
The current regulatory requirements for part 23 airplanes do not
contain adequate requirements for the application of Li-ion batteries
in airborne applications. AeroMech, Incorporated proposes to replace an
existing L-3 Communications PS-835 lead-acid emergency battery with a
Mid-Continent Instruments MD835 Li-ion battery on part 23 aircraft
currently equipped with the PS-835 battery. This type of battery
possesses certain failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics
that differ significantly from that of the nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) and
lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved in other normal,
utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Sec. 21.101, AeroMech, Incorporated must
show that the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation B200 and other aircraft
listed on the AML continue to meet the applicable provisions of the
regulations incorporated by reference in the type certificate of each
model listed and 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 certification basis for each model qualified
for this modification is detailed below.
Table 1--Approved Model List
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Certification basis for
Aircraft make Aircraft model TCDS alteration
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Aero Vodochody.................... Ae 270.................... A58CE Rev 3.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Cessna............................ 441....................... A28CE................ 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
[[Page 33554]]
Cessna............................ 401, 402, 411, 414, 421, A7CE................. 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
425. 59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Cessna............................ 501, 551.................. A27CE Rev 17......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Cessna............................ 525, 525A, 525B,.......... A1WI Rev 17.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Cessna............................ 510....................... A00014WI Rev 3....... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Dornier........................... 228-100/-101/-200/-201/- A16EU................ 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
202/-212. 59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Embraer........................... EMB-500................... A59CE Rev 0.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Embraer........................... EMB-110P1, EMB110P2....... A21SO Rev 6.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Hawker Beechcraft................. C90, C90A, C90GT, B90, 3A20 Rev 69.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
E90, H90, C90GTi. 59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Hawker Beechcraft................. 200, 200C, 200CT, 200T, A24CE Rev 98......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
B200, B200C, B200CT, 59, except for 14 CFR
B200GT, B200CGT B200T, 23.1308.
300, 300LW, B300, B300C,
1900C, 1900D.
Hawker Beechcraft................. 99, 99A, A99, A99A, B99, A14CE Rev 37......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
C99. 59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Hawker Beechcraft................. 390....................... A00010WI Rev 8....... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Learjet........................... 23........................ A5CE Rev 10.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
M7 Aerospace...................... SA226[dash]T, A5SW Rev 26.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
SA226[dash]AT, 59, except for 14 CFR
SA227[dash]AT, 23.1308.
SA227[dash]TT.
Pacific Aerospace................. 750XL..................... A50CE Rev 3.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Piaggio........................... P-180..................... A59EU Rev 18......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Pilatus........................... PC-12..................... A78EU Rev 19......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Socata............................ TBM 700................... A60EU Rev 18......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
Twin Commander.................... 680, 680E, 680F, 680FL, 2A4 Rev 47........... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
680T, 680V, 680W, 681, 59, except for 14 CFR
690, 690A, 690B, 690C, 23.1308.
690D, 695, 695A, 695B.
Viking Air........................ DHC-6-1/-100/-200/-300.... A9EA Rev 13.......... 14 CFR part 23 amdt 23-
59, except for 14 CFR
23.1308.
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If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation,
B200 and other aircraft listed on the AML, because of a novel or
unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the
provisions of Sec. 21.16. The FAA issues special conditions, as
defined in Sec. 11.19, under Sec. 11.38 and they become part of the
type certification basis under 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 AML to modify any other model to incorporate the same or
similar 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 Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed
on the AML will incorporate the following novel or unusual design
features:
AeroMech, Incorporated proposes to replace an existing L-3
Communications PS-835 lead-acid emergency battery with a Mid-Continent
Instruments MD835 Li-ion battery on part 23 aircraft currently equipped
with the PS-835 battery. This type of battery possesses certain
failure, operational characteristics, and maintenance requirements that
differ significantly from that of the Ni-Cd and lead-acid rechargeable
batteries currently approved in other normal, utility, acrobatic, and
commuter category airplanes.
Discussion
The applicable part 21 and part 23 airworthiness regulations
governing the installation of batteries in general aviation airplanes,
including Sec. 23.1353 were derived from Civil Air Regulations (CAR 3)
as part of the recodification that established 14 CFR part 23. The
battery requirements, which were identified as Sec. 23.1353, were
basically a rewording of the CAR requirements that did not add any
substantive technical requirements. An increase in incidents involving
battery fires and failures that accompanied the increased use of Ni-Cd
batteries in airplanes resulted in rulemaking activities on the battery
requirements for business jet and commuter category airplanes. These
regulations were incorporated into Sec. 23.1353(f) and (g), which
apply only to Ni-Cd battery installations.
The proposed use of Li-ion batteries on the Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on the AML has prompted the
FAA to review the adequacy of the existing battery regulations with
respect to that chemistry. As the result of this review, the FAA has
determined that the existing regulations do not adequately address
several failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics of Li-ion
batteries that could affect safety of the
[[Page 33555]]
battery installation and the reliability of the electrical power supply
on the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on
the AML.
Li-ion batteries in general are significantly more susceptible to
internal failures that can result in self-sustaining increases in
temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal runaway) than their Ni-Cd and
lead-acid counterparts. This is especially true for overcharging a Li-
ion, which will likely result in explosion, fire, or both. Certain
types of Li-ion batteries pose a potential safety problem because of
the instability and flammability of the organic electrolyte employed by
the cells of those batteries. The severity of thermal runaway increases
with increasing battery capacity due to the higher amount of
electrolyte in large batteries.
If the discharge of the cells is below a typical voltage of 3.0
volts on some versions of Li-ion batteries, they will subsequently no
longer accept a charge. 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 Ni-Cd
batteries.
Unlike Ni-Cd and lead-acid cells, some types of Li-ion cells employ
electrolytes that are known to be flammable. This material can serve as
a source of fuel for an external fire in the event of a breach of the
cell container.
The intent of these special conditions is to establish appropriate
airworthiness standards for Li-ion battery installations in the Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on the AML.
Special conditions also ensure, as required by Sec. 23.601, that these
battery installations do not possess hazardous or unreliable design
characteristics. These special conditions adopt the following
requirements as a means of addressing these concerns:
(1) Inclusion of those sections of Sec. 23.1353 that are
applicable to Li-ion batteries.
(2) Inclusion of the flammable fluid fire protection requirements
of Sec. 23.863. In the past, this rule was not applied to the
batteries of business jet or commuter category airplanes since the
electrolytes utilized in lead-acid and Ni-Cd batteries are not
considered to be flammable.
(3) Addition of new requirements to address the potential hazards
of overcharging and over discharging that are unique to Li-ion battery
designs.
(4) Addition of maintenance requirements to ensure that batteries
used as spares are maintained in an appropriate state of charge (SOC).
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on the
AML. Should AeroMech, Incorporated apply at a later date for a
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model on the AML 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 the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on
the AML. 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.
Citation
The authority citation for these 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 Proposed Special Conditions
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis
for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other aircraft listed on
the AeroMech, Incorporated airplanes AML.
The Federal Aviation Administration proposes that the following
Special Conditions (SC) be applied to all part 23 airplanes equipped
with MD-835 Li-ion batteries in lieu of the requirements of Sec.
23.1353(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), Amendment 23-49 through 23-59.
SC 23.1353, Storage battery design and installation.
Li-ion batteries and battery installations on part 23 airplanes
equipped with existing PS-835 batteries must be designed and installed
as follows:
(1) Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during
any probable charging or discharging condition, or during any failure
of the charging or battery monitoring system not shown to be extremely
remote. The Li-ion battery installation must be designed to preclude
explosion or fire in the event of those failures.
(2) Li-ion batteries must be designed to preclude the occurrence of
self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
(3) No explosive or toxic gasses emitted by any Li-ion battery in
normal operation or as the result of any failure of the battery
charging or monitoring system, or battery installation not shown to be
extremely remote, may accumulate in hazardous quantities within the
airplane.
(4) Li-ion batteries that contain flammable fluids must comply with
the flammable fluid fire protection requirements of Sec. 23.863(a)
through (d).
(5) No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any Li-ion
battery may damage airplane structure or essential equipment.
(6) Each Li-ion battery installation must have provisions to
prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential systems that may
be caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery can generate during
a short circuit of the battery or of its individual cells.
(7) Li-ion battery installations must have--
(i) A system to control the charging rate of the battery
automatically so as to prevent battery overheating or overcharging, or
(ii) 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
(iii) 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 Li-ion battery installation whose function 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 capacity and state of charge (SOC) of
the batteries have fallen below levels considered acceptable for
dispatch of the airplane.
(9) The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) must contain
recommended manufacturer's maintenance and inspection requirements to
ensure that batteries, including single cells, meet a safety function
level essential to the aircraft's continued airworthiness.
(i) The ICA must contain operating instructions and equipment
limitations in an installation maintenance manual.
(ii) The ICA must contain installation procedures and limitations
in a maintenance manual sufficient to ensure that cells or batteries,
when installed according to the installation procedures, still meet
safety functional levels essential to the aircraft's
[[Page 33556]]
continued airworthiness. The limitations must identify any unique
aspects of the installation.
(iii) The ICA must contain corrective maintenance procedures to
functionally check battery capacity at manufacturer's recommended
inspection intervals.
(iv) The ICA must contain scheduled servicing information to
replace batteries at manufacturer's recommended replacement time.
(v) The ICA must contain maintenance and inspection requirements to
visually check for a battery and/or charger degradation.
(10) Batteries in a rotating stock (spares) that have experienced
degraded charge retention capability or other damage due to prolonged
storage must be functionally checked at manufacturer's recommended
inspection intervals.
(11) If the Li-ion battery application contains software and/or
complex hardware, in accordance with AC 20-115B and AC 20-152, they
should be developed to the standards of DO-178B for software and DO-254
for complex hardware.
(12) The Li-ion battery must meet TSO C179.
These special conditions are not intended to replace Sec. 23.1353
in the certification basis of the Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200
and other aircraft listed on the AML. These special conditions apply
only to Li-ion batteries and battery installations. The battery
requirements of Sec. 23.1353 would remain in effect for batteries and
battery installations on Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B200 and other
aircraft listed on the AML that do not use Li-ion batteries.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 4, 2010.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14195 Filed 6-11-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P