Rule2023-12278
Special Conditions: Airbus SAS Model A320 and A321 Series Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery System Installations
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Published
June 8, 2023
Effective
June 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
These special conditions are issued for the Airbus SAS (Airbus) Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N; and Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. These airplanes 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 a mini emergency power supply unit containing rechargeable lithium-ion 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 equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 110 (Thursday, June 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 110 (Thursday, June 8, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37467-37469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12278]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 110 / Thursday, June 8, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 37467]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0841; Special Conditions No. 25-837-SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus SAS Model A320 and A321 Series
Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery System
Installations
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 SAS
(Airbus) Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N; and
Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. These
airplanes 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 a mini emergency
power supply unit containing rechargeable lithium-ion 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
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: This action is effective on Airbus on June 8, 2023. Send
comments on or before July 24, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2023-0841 using
any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a> and follow the online instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Privacy: Except for Confidential Business Information as
described in the following paragraph, and other information as
described in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 11.35, the
FAA will post all comments received without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a>, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about these special conditions.
<bullet> 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 these special
conditions contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to these special conditions, 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 these special conditions. Send submissions containing CBI to
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
Comments the FAA receives, which are not specifically designated as
CBI, will be placed in the public docket for these special conditions.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a> 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, Aircraft Systems, AIR-
623, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
telephone (206) 231-3160; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f517e6576773174777e706a73665f797e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fcb29d869594d297949d93899085bc9a9d9dd29b938a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions
has been published in the Federal Register for public comment in
several prior instances with no substantive comments received.
Therefore, the FAA finds, pursuant to 14 CFR 11.38(b), that new
comments are unlikely, and notice and comment prior to this publication
are unnecessary.
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, and will consider comments filed late if it is possible to do
so without incurring delay. The FAA may change these special conditions
based on the comments received.
Background
On August 17, 2022, Airbus SAS applied for a change to Type
Certificate No. A28NM to install a mini emergency power supply unit
containing rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries and battery system on
Airbus A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N and Airbus
Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes.
These airplanes, approved under Type Certificate No. A28NM, are
twin-engine transport category airplanes with a maximum seating of
capacity between 179 to 244 passengers and a maximum takeoff weight
between 154,322 to 213,848 pounds, depending on model.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) 21.101,
[[Page 37468]]
Airbus must show that changes to the Airbus Model A320-251N, -252N, -
253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N and Airbus Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes, as changed, continues to meet the
applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No.
A28NM 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 A320-251N, -252N, -
253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N, and Airbus Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes 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 novel or
unusual design feature, or should any other model already included on
the same type certificate be modified 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 A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and
-273N, and Airbus Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX
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 Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Airbus Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N;
and Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes will
incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature Mini
Emergency Power Supply Unit containing rechargeable lithium-ion
batteries.
Discussion
Rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems are considered
to be a novel or unusual design feature in transport category
airplanes, with respect to the requirements in Sec. 25.1353. 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. These batteries and
battery systems introduce higher energy levels into airplane systems
through new chemical compositions in various battery-cell sizes and
construction. Interconnection of these cells in battery packs
introduces failure modes that require unique design considerations,
such as provisions for thermal management.
Special Condition 1 requires that each individual cell within a
battery and battery system be designed to maintain safe temperatures
and pressures. Special Condition 2 addresses these same issues but for
the entire battery system.
Special Condition 2 requires that the batteries and battery system
be designed to prevent propagation of a thermal event, such as self-
sustained, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure from one
cell to adjacent cells.
Special Conditions 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the cells
and battery system are designed to eliminate the potential for
uncontrollable failures. However, a certain number of failures will
occur due to various factors beyond the control of the designer.
Therefore, other special conditions are intended to protect the
airplane and its occupants if failure occurs.
Special Conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-explanatory.
Special Condition 4 clarifies that the flammable-fluid fire-
protection requirements of Sec. 25.863 apply to rechargeable lithium
battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of the
airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from airplane
systems. Rechargeable lithium batteries contain electrolyte that is a
flammable fluid.
Special Condition 5 requires each rechargeable lithium battery and
battery system installation to not damage surrounding structure or
adjacent systems, equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids
or gases that may escape in such a way as to cause a major or more
severe failure condition.
Special Condition 6 requires each rechargeable lithium battery and
battery system installation to have provisions to prevent any hazardous
effect on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of
heat it can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells.
The means of meeting special conditions 5 and 6 may be the same, but
they are independent requirements addressing different hazards. Special
Condition 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases, whereas special
condition 6 addresses heat.
Special Condition 9 requires rechargeable lithium batteries and
battery systems to have ``automatic'' means, for charge rate and
disconnect, due to the fast acting nature of lithium battery chemical
reactions. Manual intervention would not be timely or effective in
mitigating the hazards associated with these batteries.
These special conditions apply to all rechargeable lithium
batteries and battery system installations in lieu of Sec.
25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at amendment 25-123, or Sec. 25.1353(c)(1)
through (4) at earlier amendments. Those regulations will remain in
effect for other battery installations on these airplanes.
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 the
Airbus Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N; and
Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. Should
Airbus apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to
include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design
feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on Airbus Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N; and
Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. It is
not a rule of general applicability.
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, and
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
[[Page 37469]]
certification basis for Airbus Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -
272N and -273N; and Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX and -272NX
airplanes.
Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery System Installations
In lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at amendment 25-123, or
Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments, each
rechargeable lithium battery installation must:
1. Be designed to maintain safe cell temperatures and pressures
under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire and
explosion.
2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining,
uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure, and automatically
control the charge rate of each cell to protect against adverse
operating conditions, such as cell imbalance, back charging,
overcharging, and overheating.
3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, either in normal operation or
as a result of its failure that may accumulate in hazardous quantities
within the airplane.
4. Meet the requirements of Sec. 25.863.
5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment,
or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in
such a way as to cause a major or more- severe failure condition.
6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane
structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat it can
generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells.
7. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the
flightcrew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane.
8. Have a monitoring and warning feature that alerts the flightcrew
when its charge state falls below acceptable levels if its function is
required for safe operation of the airplane.
9. Have a means to automatically disconnect from its charging
source in the event of an over-temperature condition, cell failure or
battery failure.
Note: A battery system consists of the battery, battery charger
and any protective, monitoring and alerting circuitry or hardware
inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where
necessary) and packaging. For the purpose of these special
conditions, a battery and the battery system is referred to as a
battery.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 4, 2023.
Suzanne A. Masterson,
Acting Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-12278 Filed 6-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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