Special Conditions: Airbus SAS A320-200 Series Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N Airplanes and A321-200 Series Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX Airplanes; Flight Attendant Seat Mounted on Movable Interior Structure, 13299-13301 [2023-04424]
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13299
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 88, No. 42
Friday, March 3, 2023
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.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0532; Special
Conditions No. 25–835–SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus SAS A320–
200 Series Model A320–251N, –252N,
–253N, –271N, –272N, –273N Airplanes
and A321–200 Series Model A321–
251NX, –252NX, –253NX, –271NX,
–272NX Airplanes; Flight Attendant
Seat Mounted on Movable Interior
Structure
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
AGENCY:
These special conditions are
issued for the Airbus SAS (Airbus)
A320–200 Series Model –251N, –252N,
–253N, –271N, –272N, –273N (known as
A320neo) airplanes and A321–200
Series Model –251NX, –252NX,
–253NX, –271NX, –272NX (known as
A321neo) airplanes. The airplanes 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 flight
attendant seats mounted on movable
lavatory doors. 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 April 3, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shannon Lennon, Human Machine
Interface, AIR–626, Technical
Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2200 South 216th
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:49 Mar 02, 2023
Jkt 259001
Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
telephone and fax 206–231–3209; email
shannon.lennon@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On October 27, 2020, Airbus SAS
applied for a change to Type Certificate
No. A28NM for flight attendant seats
mounted on movable lavatory doors in
A320–200 Series Model A320–251N,
–252N, –253N, –271N, –272N, and
–273N (known as A320neo) airplanes
and A321–200 Series Model A321–
251NX, –252NX, –253NX, –271NX, and
-272NX (known as A321neo) airplanes.
These airplanes are twin-engine,
transport category airplanes. The
A320neo has a maximum passenger
seating capacity of 179 and the A321neo
has a maximum passenger seating
capacity of 244.
The applicable airworthiness
requirements do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for this
new lavatory door-mounted flight
attendant seat. Section 25.785 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
specifies certain requirements for flight
attendant seats but did not consider
flight attendant seats mounted on
movable structure such as lavatory
doors and, therefore, does not
specifically address additional concerns
associated with ensuring the flight
attendant seats are safe to occupy when
necessary. Therefore, special conditions
are necessary to establish a level of
safety equivalent to that established by
the existing airworthiness standards.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,
Airbus must show that the A320neo and
A321neo airplanes, as changed,
continue 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 A320neo and A321neo
airplanes because of a novel or unusual
design feature, special conditions are
prescribed under the provisions of
§ 21.16.
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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 § 21.101.
In addition to the applicable
airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Airbus A320neo and
A321neo 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 § 11.38, and they become part of
the type certification basis under
§ 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Airbus A320neo and A321neo
airplanes will incorporate the following
novel or unusual design features:
Flight attendant seats mounted on
movable lavatory doors.
Discussion
Airbus will install, in A320neo and
A321neo airplanes, flight attendant
seats on lavatory doors. The lavatory
door-mounted flight attendant seat is
intended to be occupied during all
phases of flight, including takeoff and
landing.
Flight attendant seats are typically
floor-mounted or wall-mounted on a
non-movable structure (e.g., mounted on
monument walls) which is attached to
the airplane structure. The installation
of a flight attendant seat on movable
structure, such as a lavatory door,
introduces certain issues that must be
addressed to ensure safety of the
attendant seat occupant. Such
considerations include ensuring that the
lavatory door is closed (fixed) when the
flight attendant seat is to be occupied
and ensuring that the lavatory door lock
mechanism is reliable after frequent use
of the lavatory door. Additionally, the
lavatory door, door locking mechanism,
and door housing will need to
withstand certain loading conditions as
that structure is part of the load path
E:\FR\FM\03MRR1.SGM
03MRR1
13300
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 42 / Friday, March 3, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
between seat structure and airplane
structure.
Other issues include ensuring that the
flight attendant seat is available to use
when necessary, which requires a way
to ensure the lavatory is not occupied
when the flight attendant seat must be
occupied. Also, additional maintenance
requirements will need to be considered
to establish the reliability of the lavatory
door locking mechanism, as it is a
feature that will be frequently used.
The 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.
Discussion of Comments
The FAA issued Notice of Proposed
Special Conditions No. 25–22–03–SC
for the Airbus A320–200 Series Model
A320–251N, –252N, –253N, –271N,
–272N, and –273N, and A321–200
Series Model A321–251NX, –252NX,
–253NX, –271NX, and –272NX
airplanes, which was published in the
Federal Register on October 17, 2022
(87 FR 62739). The FAA received
responses from two commenters—Air
Line Pilots Association, International
(ALPA); and The Boeing Company
(Boeing). ALPA provided a general
comment that they support the special
conditions. Boeing provided four
comments summarized as follows:
Comment Summary 1: Boeing
suggested a revision of the text of
proposed special condition (a) for
purposes of identifying additional
components of the flight attendant seatsystem primary load path that must be
shown to withstand the emergency
landing dynamic loads including the
lavatory door hinge and lavatory doorinterfacing wall panels. Boeing states
that the proposed special condition does
not address the structural interface area
surrounding the lavatory door
attachment to the lavatory housing and
that its suggested revision is consistent
with guidance provided in section
9.c.(3)(b) of Advisory Circular 25.562–
1B, ‘‘Dynamic Evaluation of Seat
Restraint Systems and Occupant
Protection on Transport Airplanes,’’ for
similar installations. Boeing also
suggested a revision of the text of
proposed special condition (a) for
purposes of clarifying that both the
flight attendant seat installation and
lavatory attachment to the airplanes’
structure must meet the requirements of
14 CFR 25.561.
FAA Response: No change to this
special condition is necessary. The
proposed special condition (a) was
intended to describe the lavatory
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 259001
structure that must withstand the
emergency landing dynamic loads
prescribed in § 25.562 vs. the lavatory
structure that must meet the
requirements of § 25.561. It is not
necessary for these special conditions to
identify that the seat installation meet
the requirements of § 25.561 because
that requirement already exists via
§ 25.785(b) and is therefore, outside the
scope of these special conditions. It is
also sufficient to identify that the
lavatory door-mounted flight attendant
seat-system primary load path must
meet the emergency landing dynamic
loads without identifying all
components of that load path because
structural components such as the
lavatory door, door hinge, and
interfacing lavatory panels are readily
recognized as part of the load path. The
exception is the lavatory door locking
mechanism. This is specifically
emphasized in this special condition as
it is a movable assembly that is expected
to be frequently manipulated by the
airplane occupants and, as such, a novel
feature in the flight attendant seat load
path.
Comment Summary 2 and 3: Boeing
recommended a revision to special
condition (b)(1) that would require a
design feature that clearly indicates
positive engagement of all latches or
mechanisms required to secure the
lavatory door, including a placard
describing the required steps to secure
and verify engagement of the door.
Boeing also recommends a revision to
special condition (c) that would require
a placard near the flight attendant seat
that instructs the flight attendant to
perform a visual inspection of the
lavatory interior to ensure the lavatory
is not occupied before engaging the door
and occupying the attendant seat.
Boeing states that a placard should be
included to ensure that the lavatory is
not occupied when use of the flight
attendant seat is necessary.
FAA Response: No changes to special
conditions (b) or (c) are necessary.
While the recommended design features
may constitute an acceptable means of
compliance, other means may be
utilized that could also be acceptable.
Therefore, it is not necessary or
appropriate to require specific design
features for these special conditions.
Comment Summary 4: Boeing
recommended a revision to special
condition (e) to require that the lavatory
door hinge mechanism, along with the
locking mechanism, must meet the
requirements of § 25.561 and other
foreseeable operating conditions in
order to show that these mechanisms
are reliable within their expected life
cycle. This recommendation includes
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Frm 00002
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
requiring static testing beyond the lifecycle testing of the locking and hinge
mechanisms to ensure adequate
structural capability over the expected
lifetime of the installation.
FAA Response: Special condition (e)
is intended to ensure that the movable
parts of the lavatory door assembly
remain reliable within the expected life
cycle of the installation. The lavatory
door locking mechanism is specifically
identified as it will be routinely
manipulated by aircraft occupants as
they utilize the lavatory. However, the
door hinge is also a movable part that
is applicable to this special condition
even though it does not get repositioned
in service like the lavatory door lock.
For this reason the FAA agrees with the
recommendation to include the lavatory
door hinge within the text of special
condition (e). While the FAA agrees that
the approach of conducting static testing
of the lavatory door hinge and locking
mechanisms beyond the life-cycle
testing constitutes an acceptable means
of compliance, other means may be
utilized that could also be acceptable.
Therefore, it is not necessary to require
this specific compliance approach in the
special condition. Proposed special
condition (e) is revised as follows:
The lavatory door locking and hinge
mechanisms must be shown to
withstand frequent use. Potential
deterioration of moving parts must be
addressed to show that the locking and
hinge mechanisms are reliable within
the established life cycle. Accordingly,
instructions for continued airworthiness
must also be defined for the locking and
hinge mechanisms.
All other special conditions are
adopted as proposed.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special
conditions are applicable to the Airbus
A320 Series Model –251N, –252N,
–253N, –271N, –272N, –273N (known as
A320neo) and A321 Series Model
–251NX, –252NX, –253NX, –271NX,
–272NX (known as A321neo) 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 a certain
novel or unusual design feature on A320
Series Model –251N, –252N, –253N,
–271N, –272N, –273N (known as
A320neo) and A321 Series Model
–251NX, –252NX, –253NX, –271NX,
–272NX (known as A321neo) airplanes.
It is not a rule of general applicability.
E:\FR\FM\03MRR1.SGM
03MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 42 / Friday, March 3, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on
February 28, 2023.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Innovation Policy
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
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:
[FR Doc. 2023–04424 Filed 3–2–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,
44701, 44702, 44704.
The Special Conditions
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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 the Airbus A320
Series Model –251N, –252N, –253N,
–271N, –272N, –273N (known as
A320neo) and A321 Series Model
–251NX, –252NX, –253NX, –271NX,
–272NX (known as A321neo).
(a) The lavatory door-mounted flight
attendant seat-system primary load
path, including the flight attendant seat,
seat attachment means, the lavatory
door, and lavatory door attachment to
the lavatory housing—including the
locking mechanism—must be shown to
be capable of withstanding the
emergency landing dynamic loads in
accordance with § 25.562. The lavatory
housing and the lavatory attachment to
the airplane structure must comply with
the requirements of § 25.561.
(b) Means must be provided to ensure
that the flight attendant seat can only be
used if the lavatory door is securely
locked in the closed position.
(1) The procedures for establishing
that the lavatory door is closed and
locked prior to use of the flight
attendant seat must become part of the
cabin crew training.
(2) The effects of structural
deformation of the lavatory door and
lavatory door housing must be
addressed to prevent unlocking or
failure of the locking mechanism.
(c) Means must be provided to ensure
that the lavatory is not occupied so that
the flight attendant seat is available
when necessary.
(d) Means must be provided to ensure
that no one is inadvertently trapped
inside the lavatory when the lavatory
door is locked to facilitate use of the
flight attendant seat.
(e) The lavatory door locking and
hinge mechanisms must be shown to
withstand frequent use. Potential
deterioration of moving parts must be
addressed to show that the locking and
hinge mechanisms are reliable within
their established life cycles.
Accordingly, instructions for continued
airworthiness must also be defined for
the locking and hinge mechanisms.
Federal Aviation Administration
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16:49 Mar 02, 2023
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14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2022–1253; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–00698–T; Amendment
39–22349; AD 2023–04–02]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream
Aerospace LP Airplanes
Background
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model
Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a determination that the
existing wet runway performance tables
in the airplane flight manual (AFM) may
not provide an acceptable level of
safety. This AD requires revising the
existing AFM to incorporate new wet
runway performance tables, as specified
in a Civil Aviation Authority of Israel
(CAAI) AD, which is incorporated by
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 7,
2023.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of April 7, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2022–1253; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this final rule, the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), any comments received, and
other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For material incorporated by
reference in this AD, contact CAAI, P.O.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City,
70100, Israel; telephone 972–3–
9774665; fax 972–3–9774592; email
aip@mot.gov.il. You may find this
material on the CAAI website at
caa.gov.il.
• You may view this material at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
It is also available in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2022–1253.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
206–231–3225; email dan.rodina@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
13301
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to all Gulfstream Aerospace LP
Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal
Register on October 5, 2022 (87 FR
60344). The NPRM was prompted by
AD ISR–I–97–2022–04–9, dated May 1,
2022, issued by the Civil Aviation
Authority of Israel (CAAI), which is the
aviation authority for Israel (CAAI AD
ISR–I–97–2022–04–9) (also referred to
as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the
existing wet runway performance tables
in the AFM may not provide an
acceptable level of safety, and that the
wet runway performance tables have
been updated in the Performance
section of the G280 AFM, Revision 10.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require revising the existing AFM to
incorporate new wet runway
performance tables, as specified in
CAAI AD ISR–I–97–2022–04–9. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the
existing AFM wet runway performance
tables that could allow the airplane to
experience runway excursions or
overruns during takeoff.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2022–1253.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness
Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from
one individual. The following presents
the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAA’s response to each
comment.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13299-13301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04424]
========================================================================
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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 42 / Friday, March 3, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 13299]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0532; Special Conditions No. 25-835-SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus SAS A320-200 Series Model A320-251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N Airplanes and A321-200 Series Model
A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX Airplanes; Flight Attendant
Seat Mounted on Movable Interior Structure
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus SAS
(Airbus) A320-200 Series Model -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N
(known as A320neo) airplanes and A321-200 Series Model -251NX, -252NX,
-253NX, -271NX, -272NX (known as A321neo) airplanes. The airplanes 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 flight attendant seats
mounted on movable lavatory doors. 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 April 3, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Lennon, Human Machine
Interface, AIR-626, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3209; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On October 27, 2020, Airbus SAS applied for a change to Type
Certificate No. A28NM for flight attendant seats mounted on movable
lavatory doors in A320-200 Series Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N,
-272N, and -273N (known as A320neo) airplanes and A321-200 Series Model
A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX (known as A321neo)
airplanes. These airplanes are twin-engine, transport category
airplanes. The A320neo has a maximum passenger seating capacity of 179
and the A321neo has a maximum passenger seating capacity of 244.
The applicable airworthiness requirements do not contain adequate
or appropriate safety standards for this new lavatory door-mounted
flight attendant seat. Section 25.785 of title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) specifies certain requirements for flight
attendant seats but did not consider flight attendant seats mounted on
movable structure such as lavatory doors and, therefore, does not
specifically address additional concerns associated with ensuring the
flight attendant seats are safe to occupy when necessary. Therefore,
special conditions are necessary to establish a level of safety
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) 21.101, Airbus must show that the A320neo and A321neo airplanes,
as changed, continue 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 A320neo and A321neo
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 A320neo and A321neo 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 A320neo and A321neo airplanes will incorporate the
following novel or unusual design features:
Flight attendant seats mounted on movable lavatory doors.
Discussion
Airbus will install, in A320neo and A321neo airplanes, flight
attendant seats on lavatory doors. The lavatory door-mounted flight
attendant seat is intended to be occupied during all phases of flight,
including takeoff and landing.
Flight attendant seats are typically floor-mounted or wall-mounted
on a non-movable structure (e.g., mounted on monument walls) which is
attached to the airplane structure. The installation of a flight
attendant seat on movable structure, such as a lavatory door,
introduces certain issues that must be addressed to ensure safety of
the attendant seat occupant. Such considerations include ensuring that
the lavatory door is closed (fixed) when the flight attendant seat is
to be occupied and ensuring that the lavatory door lock mechanism is
reliable after frequent use of the lavatory door. Additionally, the
lavatory door, door locking mechanism, and door housing will need to
withstand certain loading conditions as that structure is part of the
load path
[[Page 13300]]
between seat structure and airplane structure.
Other issues include ensuring that the flight attendant seat is
available to use when necessary, which requires a way to ensure the
lavatory is not occupied when the flight attendant seat must be
occupied. Also, additional maintenance requirements will need to be
considered to establish the reliability of the lavatory door locking
mechanism, as it is a feature that will be frequently used.
The 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.
Discussion of Comments
The FAA issued Notice of Proposed Special Conditions No. 25-22-03-
SC for the Airbus A320-200 Series Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N,
-272N, and -273N, and A321-200 Series Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX,
-271NX, and -272NX airplanes, which was published in the Federal
Register on October 17, 2022 (87 FR 62739). The FAA received responses
from two commenters--Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA);
and The Boeing Company (Boeing). ALPA provided a general comment that
they support the special conditions. Boeing provided four comments
summarized as follows:
Comment Summary 1: Boeing suggested a revision of the text of
proposed special condition (a) for purposes of identifying additional
components of the flight attendant seat-system primary load path that
must be shown to withstand the emergency landing dynamic loads
including the lavatory door hinge and lavatory door-interfacing wall
panels. Boeing states that the proposed special condition does not
address the structural interface area surrounding the lavatory door
attachment to the lavatory housing and that its suggested revision is
consistent with guidance provided in section 9.c.(3)(b) of Advisory
Circular 25.562-1B, ``Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems and
Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes,'' for similar
installations. Boeing also suggested a revision of the text of proposed
special condition (a) for purposes of clarifying that both the flight
attendant seat installation and lavatory attachment to the airplanes'
structure must meet the requirements of 14 CFR 25.561.
FAA Response: No change to this special condition is necessary. The
proposed special condition (a) was intended to describe the lavatory
structure that must withstand the emergency landing dynamic loads
prescribed in Sec. 25.562 vs. the lavatory structure that must meet
the requirements of Sec. 25.561. It is not necessary for these special
conditions to identify that the seat installation meet the requirements
of Sec. 25.561 because that requirement already exists via Sec.
25.785(b) and is therefore, outside the scope of these special
conditions. It is also sufficient to identify that the lavatory door-
mounted flight attendant seat-system primary load path must meet the
emergency landing dynamic loads without identifying all components of
that load path because structural components such as the lavatory door,
door hinge, and interfacing lavatory panels are readily recognized as
part of the load path. The exception is the lavatory door locking
mechanism. This is specifically emphasized in this special condition as
it is a movable assembly that is expected to be frequently manipulated
by the airplane occupants and, as such, a novel feature in the flight
attendant seat load path.
Comment Summary 2 and 3: Boeing recommended a revision to special
condition (b)(1) that would require a design feature that clearly
indicates positive engagement of all latches or mechanisms required to
secure the lavatory door, including a placard describing the required
steps to secure and verify engagement of the door. Boeing also
recommends a revision to special condition (c) that would require a
placard near the flight attendant seat that instructs the flight
attendant to perform a visual inspection of the lavatory interior to
ensure the lavatory is not occupied before engaging the door and
occupying the attendant seat. Boeing states that a placard should be
included to ensure that the lavatory is not occupied when use of the
flight attendant seat is necessary.
FAA Response: No changes to special conditions (b) or (c) are
necessary. While the recommended design features may constitute an
acceptable means of compliance, other means may be utilized that could
also be acceptable. Therefore, it is not necessary or appropriate to
require specific design features for these special conditions.
Comment Summary 4: Boeing recommended a revision to special
condition (e) to require that the lavatory door hinge mechanism, along
with the locking mechanism, must meet the requirements of Sec. 25.561
and other foreseeable operating conditions in order to show that these
mechanisms are reliable within their expected life cycle. This
recommendation includes requiring static testing beyond the life-cycle
testing of the locking and hinge mechanisms to ensure adequate
structural capability over the expected lifetime of the installation.
FAA Response: Special condition (e) is intended to ensure that the
movable parts of the lavatory door assembly remain reliable within the
expected life cycle of the installation. The lavatory door locking
mechanism is specifically identified as it will be routinely
manipulated by aircraft occupants as they utilize the lavatory.
However, the door hinge is also a movable part that is applicable to
this special condition even though it does not get repositioned in
service like the lavatory door lock. For this reason the FAA agrees
with the recommendation to include the lavatory door hinge within the
text of special condition (e). While the FAA agrees that the approach
of conducting static testing of the lavatory door hinge and locking
mechanisms beyond the life-cycle testing constitutes an acceptable
means of compliance, other means may be utilized that could also be
acceptable. Therefore, it is not necessary to require this specific
compliance approach in the special condition. Proposed special
condition (e) is revised as follows:
The lavatory door locking and hinge mechanisms must be shown to
withstand frequent use. Potential deterioration of moving parts must be
addressed to show that the locking and hinge mechanisms are reliable
within the established life cycle. Accordingly, instructions for
continued airworthiness must also be defined for the locking and hinge
mechanisms.
All other special conditions are adopted as proposed.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Airbus A320 Series Model -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N
(known as A320neo) and A321 Series Model -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -
271NX, -272NX (known as A321neo) 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 a certain novel or unusual design feature
on A320 Series Model -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N (known as
A320neo) and A321 Series Model -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX
(known as A321neo) airplanes. It is not a rule of general
applicability.
[[Page 13301]]
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 the Airbus A320 Series Model -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -273N (known as A320neo) and A321 Series
Model -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX (known as A321neo).
(a) The lavatory door-mounted flight attendant seat-system primary
load path, including the flight attendant seat, seat attachment means,
the lavatory door, and lavatory door attachment to the lavatory
housing--including the locking mechanism--must be shown to be capable
of withstanding the emergency landing dynamic loads in accordance with
Sec. 25.562. The lavatory housing and the lavatory attachment to the
airplane structure must comply with the requirements of Sec. 25.561.
(b) Means must be provided to ensure that the flight attendant seat
can only be used if the lavatory door is securely locked in the closed
position.
(1) The procedures for establishing that the lavatory door is
closed and locked prior to use of the flight attendant seat must become
part of the cabin crew training.
(2) The effects of structural deformation of the lavatory door and
lavatory door housing must be addressed to prevent unlocking or failure
of the locking mechanism.
(c) Means must be provided to ensure that the lavatory is not
occupied so that the flight attendant seat is available when necessary.
(d) Means must be provided to ensure that no one is inadvertently
trapped inside the lavatory when the lavatory door is locked to
facilitate use of the flight attendant seat.
(e) The lavatory door locking and hinge mechanisms must be shown to
withstand frequent use. Potential deterioration of moving parts must be
addressed to show that the locking and hinge mechanisms are reliable
within their established life cycles. Accordingly, instructions for
continued airworthiness must also be defined for the locking and hinge
mechanisms.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 28, 2023.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04424 Filed 3-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
