Special Conditions: Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR Series Airplanes; Dynamic Test Requirements for Single Occupant Oblique Seats at an Installation Angle of 49 Degrees With Airbags and 3-Point Restraint or Pretensioner Restraint Systems, 104455-104459 [2024-29465]

Download as PDF 104455 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 89, No. 246 Monday, December 23, 2024 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2024–2570; Notice No. 25– 24–05–SC] Special Conditions: Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR Series Airplanes; Dynamic Test Requirements for Single Occupant Oblique Seats at an Installation Angle of 49 Degrees With Airbags and 3-Point Restraint or Pretensioner Restraint Systems Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions. AGENCY: This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR 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 single-occupant oblique seat with an airbag and 3-point or pretensioner restraint system positioned at a 49-degree angle from the cabin centerline. 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: Send comments on or before January 13, 2025. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA–2024–2570 using any of the following methods: Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 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 khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 265001 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. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 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: Shannon Lennon, Cabin Safety Section, AIR–624, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231–3209; email Shannon.Lennon@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 proposed special conditions, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The proposed special conditions address single-occupant oblique seats with airbags and 3-point restraint or pretensioner restraint systems at a 49degree installation angle. The proposed special conditions substantially align with previously issued conditions (Special Conditions Nos. 25–811–SC and 25–861–SC) but were adapted to align with the combination of the novel 49-degree angle installation along with the potential use of a pretensioner restraint system. Delivery of these airplanes with this novel or unusual design feature is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. While the comment period provided by the FAA for proposed special conditions has typically been thirty days, the FAA is providing twenty days in this instance PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 due to the substantive similarity of these conditions with the terms of previously issued special conditions, and due to the pendency of the anticipated delivery date for the affected airplane models, per the criteria in 14 CFR 11.38. 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. Privacy Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) 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 www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about these special conditions. 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 proposed special conditions. Send submissions containing CBI to the individual listed in the For Further Information Contact section above. Comments the FAA receives, which are not specifically designated as CBI, will be placed in the public docket for these proposed special conditions. Background On April 6, 2022, Airbus SAS applied for an amendment to Type Certificate E:\FR\FM\23DEP1.SGM 23DEP1 104456 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2024 / Proposed Rules No. A28NM for the installation of a single-occupant oblique seat with an airbag and 3-point or pretensioner restraint system, positioned at a 49degree angle from the cabin centerline in new Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes. Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes, which are derivatives of the Model A321 currently approved under TC no. A28NM, are twin-engine, transport category airplanes with a maximum passenger capacity of 244. The maximum takeoff weight of the Airbus Model A321 neo ACF is approximately 213,848 pounds, while the Airbus Model A321 neo XLR has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 222,667 pounds. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Airbus SAS must show that the Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR 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 Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 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 § 21.101. In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes must comply with the 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 265001 Novel or Unusual Design Features Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes will incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature: single-occupant oblique seats with airbag devices and 3point restraints or a pretensioner restraint system installed at 49 degrees relative to the aircraft cabin centerline. Discussion Title 14 of the CFR, § 25.785(d) requires that each occupant of a seat installed at an angle of more than 18 degrees relative to airplane cabin centerline, must be protected from head injury using a seatbelt and an energyabsorbing rest that supports the arms, shoulders, head, and spine, or using a seatbelt and shoulder harness designed to prevent the head from contacting any injurious object. The proposed Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplane’s single occupant oblique seat installation with airbag devices and 3-point restraint or pretensioner restraint system is novel such that the current requirements do not adequately address airbag or pretensioner devices and protection of the occupant’s neck, spine, torso, and legs for seating configurations that are positioned at an angle of 49 degrees from the airplane centerline. The seating configuration installation angle is beyond the installation-design limits of current special conditions issued for seat positions at angles between 18 degrees and 45 degrees. At angles greater than 45 degrees, lateral neck bending and other injury mechanisms prevalent from a fully side-facing installation become a concern, given the addition of oblique seat properties. To address these potential injury mechanisms, these special conditions are based on FAA Policy Statement PS– AIR–25–27, ‘‘Technical Criteria for Approving Obliques Seats’’ as well as Policy Statement PS–ANM–25–03–R1, ‘‘Technical Criteria for Approving SideFacing Seats.’’ To provide a level of safety equivalent to that afforded to the occupants of forward and aft-facing seats, new special conditions containing additional airworthiness standards for dynamic testing requirements, including both the injury criteria limits from the obliqueseat policy and the fully side-facing seat policy, are necessary. FAA-sponsored research found that an un-restrained flailing of the upper torso, even when the pelvis and torso are nearly aligned, can produce serious spinal and torso injuries. At lower impact severities, even with significant misalignment between the torso and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 pelvis, these injuries did not occur. Tests with an FAA H–III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) have identified a level of lumbar spinal tension corresponding to the no-injury impact severity. The FAA has implemented this spinal tension limit in special conditions for oblique seats. The spine tension limit selected by the FAA is conservative with respect to other aviation injury criteria since it corresponds to a no-injury loading condition. Other restraint systems, in lieu of single lap belt restrain systems, have been used to comply with the occupant injury criteria of § 25.562(c)(5). For instance, shoulder harnesses have been widely used on flight-attendant seats, flight-deck seats, in business jets, and in general-aviation airplanes to reduce occupant head injury in the event of an emergency landing. Special conditions, pertinent regulations, and published guidance exist that relate to other restraint systems. However, the use of pretensioners in the restraint system on transport category airplane seats to comply with the occupant injury criteria of § 25.562(c)(5) is a novel design. Pretensioner technology involves a step-change in loading experienced by the occupant for impacts below and above that at which the device deploys, because activation of the shoulder harness, at the point at which the pretensioner engages, interrupts uppertorso excursion. Such an excursion could result in the head-injury criteria (HIC) being higher at an intermediate impact condition than that resulting from the maximum impact condition corresponding to the test conditions specified in § 25.562. See condition (a)(3) in these special conditions. The ideal triangular maximumseverity pulse is defined in Advisory Circular (AC) 25.562–1B, ‘‘Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems and Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes.’’ For the evaluation and testing of less-severe pulses for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of the pretensioner setting, a similar triangular pulse should be used with acceleration, rise time, and velocity change scaled accordingly. The magnitude of the required pulse should not deviate below the ideal pulse by more than 0.5g until 1.33 t1 is reached, where t1 represents the time interval between 0 and t1 on the referenced pulse shape, as shown in AC 25.562–1B. This is an acceptable method of compliance with the test requirements of the special conditions. Additionally, the pretensioner might not provide protection, after actuation, during secondary impacts. Therefore, the case where a small impact is E:\FR\FM\23DEP1.SGM 23DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2024 / Proposed Rules followed by a large impact should be addressed. If the minimum deceleration severity at which the pretensioner is set to deploy is unnecessarily low, the protection offered by the pretensioner may be lost by the time a second, larger impact occurs. Conditions (a) through (g) address occupant protection in consideration of the oblique-facing seats. Condition (h) addresses airbag systems. Conditions (i)(1) through (i)(3) ensure that the pretensioner system activates when intended and protects a range of occupants under various accident conditions. Conditions (i)(4) through (i)(9) address the maintenance and reliability of the pretensioner system, including any outside influences on the mechanism, to ensure it functions as intended. Condition (j) addresses general instructions that supplement these special conditions when tests are required to assist with test set-ups and appropriate anthropomorphic test dummy (ATD) selection. The 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. Applicability As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are 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 apply to the other model as well. Conclusion This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature on one model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS 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 Proposed Special Conditions Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the following special conditions as part of the type certification basis for Airbus VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 265001 Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes. In addition to the requirements of §§ 25.562 and 25.785, passenger seats with airbag devices and 3-point restraints or pretensioner restraints installed at an angle 49 degrees from the aircraft centerline must meet the following conditions: (a) Head Injury Criteria (HIC) HIC assessments are required only for head contact with the seat and other structures. (1) Compliance with § 25.562(c)(5) is required, except when an airbag device is present in addition to the 3-point restraint system and the anthropomorphic test dummy (ATD) has no apparent contact with the seat and other structure but has contact with the airbag, a HIC score in excess of 1,000 is acceptable, provided the HIC15 score (calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for that contact is less than 700. (2) ATD head contact with the seat or other structure, through the airbag (if installed), or contact subsequent to contact with the airbag requires an HIC value not exceeding 1,000. (3) The HIC value must not exceed 1,000 in any condition in which the airbag or pretensioner (if installed) does or does not deploy up to the maximum severity pulse specified by the existing requirements. (4) To accommodate a range of occupant heights (5th percentile female to 95th percentile male), any surface, airbag or otherwise, that provides support for the occupant’s head must provide that support in a consistent manner regardless of occupant stature. Otherwise, additional HIC assessment tests may be needed. (b) Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact If a seat is installed aft of a structure, such as 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 and tests may be required to demonstrate that the injury criteria are met for the area an occupant could contact. For example, different yaw angles could result in different injury considerations and airbag performance, and additional analysis or separate tests may be necessary to evaluate performance. (c) Neck Injury Criteria (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing serious neck injury. The assessment of neck injury must be conducted with the airbag device activated unless there is PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 104457 also reason to consider that the neck injury potential would be higher for impacts below the airbag device deployment threshold. (2) Rotation of the head about its vertical axis, relative to the torso, is limited to 105 degrees in either direction from forward-facing. (3) The neck must not impact any surface that would produce concentrated loading on the neck. (4) Assess neck injury for fore and aft neck bending using an FAA Hybrid III ATD, as described in SAE International (SAE) Technical Paper 1999–01–1609, ‘‘A Lumbar Spine Modification to the Hybrid III ATD for Aircraft Seat Tests,’’ applying the following criteria: (i) The Nij, calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208, must be below 1.0, where Nij = Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij critical values are: Fzc = 1,530 lbs (6,805 N) for tension Fzc = 1,385 lbs (6,160 N) for compression Myc = 229 lb-ft (301 Nm) in flexion Myc = 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) in extension (ii) In addition, peak upper-neck Fz must be below 937 lbs (4,168 N) in tension and 899 lbs (3,999 N) in compression. (5) When lateral neck bending is present, assess it using an ES–2re ATD as defined by 49 CFR part 572, subpart U. The data must be filtered at channel frequency class 600 as defined in SAE Recommended Practice J211/11, ‘‘Instrumentation for Impact Test Part 1—Electronic Instrumentation.’’ (i) The upper-neck tension force at the occipital condyle (O.C.) location must be less than 405 lbs (1,800 N). (ii) The upper-neck compression force at the O.C. location must be less than 405 lbs (1,800 N). (iii) The upper-neck bending torque about the ATD x-axis at the O.C. location must be less than 1,018 in-lbs (115 Nm). (iv) The upper-neck resultant shear force at the O.C. location must be less than 186 lbs (825 N). (d) Spine and Torso Injury Criteria (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing spine and torso injury. The assessment of spine and torso injury must be conducted with the airbag device activated unless it is necessary to also consider that the occupant-injury potential would be higher for impacts below the airbag-device deployment threshold. (2) Assess spine and torso injury for oblique torso bending using an FAA Hybrid III ATD, applying the following criteria: E:\FR\FM\23DEP1.SGM 23DEP1 104458 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2024 / Proposed Rules (i) The lumbar spine tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1,200 lbs (5,338 N). (ii) Significant concentrated loading on the occupant’s spine, in the area between the pelvis and shoulders during impact, including rebound, is not acceptable. During this type of contact, the interval for any rearward (X direction) acceleration exceeding 20g must be less than 3 milliseconds, as measured by the thoracic instrumentation specified in 49 CFR part 572, subpart E, filtered in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J211/1. (3) When lateral torso bending is present, assess spine and torso injury using an ES–2re ATD, applying the following criteria: (i) Thoracic: The deflection of any of the ES–2re ATD upper, middle, and lower ribs must not exceed 1.73 inches (44 mm). Process the data as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 571.214, title 49 of the CFR. (ii) Abdominal: The sum of the measured ES–2re ATD front, middle, and rear abdominal forces must not exceed 562 lbs (2,500 N). Process the data as defined in FMVSS 571.214. (iii) Upper-torso support: The lateral flexion of the ATD torso must not exceed 40 degrees from the normal upright positions during impact. (e) Pelvic Criteria (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing pelvis injury. (2) Any part of the load-bearing portion of the bottom of the ATD pelvis must not translate beyond the edges of the seat-bottom seat-cushion supporting structure. (3) When pelvis contact with the armrest or surrounding interior components is present, assess it using an ES–2re ATD. The pubic symphysis force measured by the ES–2re ATD must not exceed 1,350 lbs (6,000 N). Process the data as defined in FMVSS 571.214. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS (f) Femur Criteria Limit axial rotations of the upper leg (about the z-axis of the femur, per SAE Recommended Practice J211/1) to 35 degrees from the nominal seated position. Evaluation during rebound does not need to be considered. (g) ATD and Test Condition (1) Perform longitudinal tests to measure the injury criteria above using the FAA Hybrid III ATD or the ES–2re ATD. Conduct the tests with the undeformed floor, at the most critical yaw cases for injury, and with all lateral structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) installed. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 265001 (2) For longitudinal tests conducted in accordance with § 25.562(b)(2), show compliance with the seat-strength requirements of § 25.562(c)(7) and (8), and these special conditions, to ensure proper loading of the seat by the occupant, the ATD pelvis must remain supported by the seat pan, and the restraint system must remain on the pelvis of the ATD until rebound begins. No injury criteria evaluation is necessary for tests conducted only to assess seat-strength requirements. (3) If a seat installation includes adjacent items that are within contact range of an occupant, assess the injury potential of that contact. To make this assessment, tests may be conducted to include the actual contact item, located and attached in a representative fashion. Alternatively, the injury potential may be assessed through a combination of tests with contact items having the same geometry as the actual contact item but having stiffness characteristics that would create the worst case for injury, such as injuries due to both contact with the item and lack of support from the item. (4) Conduct the combined horizontal and vertical test, required by § 25.562(b)(1) and these special conditions, with a Hybrid II ATD (49 CFR part 572, subpart B, as specified in § 25.562) or equivalent. (5) The design and installation of seat belt buckles must prevent unbuckling due to applied inertial forces or impact from seat occupant hands and arms during an emergency landing. (h) Inflatable Airbag-Restraint System Special Conditions (When Installed) An inflatable airbag-restraint system must meet the requirements of Special Conditions No. 25–375–SC, ‘‘Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 Series Airplanes Inflatable Restraints.’’ (i) Pretensioner System Special Conditions (When Installed) (1) Protection During Secondary Impacts: The pretensioner activation setting must be demonstrated to maximize the probability of the protection being available when needed, considering secondary impacts. (2) Protection of Occupants Other than 50th Percentile: Protection of occupants for a range of stature from a 2-year-old child to a 95th percentile male must be shown. For shoulder harnesses that include pretensioners, protection of occupants other than a 50th percentile male may be shown by test or analysis. In addition, the pretensioner must not PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 introduce a hazard to passengers due to the following seating configurations: (i) The seat occupant is holding an infant. (ii) The seat occupant is a child in a child-restraint device. (iii) The seat occupant is a pregnant woman. (3) Occupants Adopting the Brace Position: Occupants in the traditional brace position, when the pretensioner activates, must not experience adverse effects from the pretensioner activation. (4) Inadvertent Pretensioner Actuation: (i) The probability of inadvertent pretensioner actuation must be shown to be extremely remote (i.e., average probability per flight hour of less than 10¥7). (ii) The system must be shown not susceptible to inadvertent pretensioner actuation due to wear and tear or inertia loads resulting from in-flight or ground maneuvers likely to be experienced in service. (iii) The seated occupant must not be seriously injured due to inadvertent pretensioner actuation. (iv) Inadvertent pretensioner activation must not cause a hazard to the airplane nor cause serious injury to anyone positioned close to the retractor or belt (e.g., seated in an adjacent seat or standing adjacent to the seat). (5) Availability of the Pretensioner Function Before Flight: The design must provide means for a crewmember to verify the availability of the pretensioner function before each flight or the probability of failure of the pretensioner function must be demonstrated to be extremely remote (i.e., average probability per flight hour of less than 10–7 between inspection intervals.) (6) Incorrect Seat Belt Orientation: The system design must ensure that any incorrect orientation (twisting) of the seat belt does not compromise the pretensioner protection function. (7) Contamination Protection: The pretensioner mechanisms and controls must be protected from external contamination that could occur on or around passenger seating. (8) Prevention of Hazards: The pretensioner system must not induce a hazard to passengers in case of fire, nor create a fire hazard if activated. (9) Functionality After Loss of Power: The system must function properly after the loss of normal airplane electrical power and after a transverse separation in the fuselage at the most critical location. A separation at the location of the system does not have to be considered. E:\FR\FM\23DEP1.SGM 23DEP1 khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2024 / Proposed Rules (j) General Test Instructions (1) The appropriate ATD to assess occupant injury (FAA Hybrid III or ES– 2re) will be determined based on the occupant kinematics at the selected test angle. At the +10 degree yaw angle, the occupant kinematics show that occupant injury tests using both ATDs may be required. (2) Conduct vertical tests with the Hybrid II ATD or equivalent, with existing pass/fail criteria. (3) Conduct longitudinal structural tests with the Hybrid II ATD or equivalent, deformed floor, with 10 degrees yaw, and with all lateral structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) required to support the occupant. (4) Conduct longitudinal occupant injury tests, as necessary, with the Hybrid III ATD or ES–2re ATD, or both, undeformed floor, yaw, and with all lateral structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) critically represented which are within the contact range of the occupant. (i) Pass/fail injury assessments: (A) Perform HIC, fore/aft neck injury, spinal tension, and femur evaluations using an FAA Hybrid III ATD. (B) Perform lateral neck injury, thoracic, abdominal, pelvis, and femur evaluations using an ES–2re ATD. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For injury assessments accomplished by testing with the ES– 2re ATD for the longitudinal test(s) conducted in accordance with § 25.562(b)(2) and these special conditions, the ATDs must be positioned, clothed, and have lateral instrumentation configured as follows: (i) ES–2re ATD Lateral Instrumentation: The rib-module linear slides are directional (i.e., deflection occurs in either a positive or negative ATD y-axis direction). Install the modules such that the moving end of the rib module is toward the front of the airplane. Install the three abdominal-force sensors so that they are on the side of the ATD and toward the front of the airplane. (ii) ATD Clothing: Clothe each ATD in form-fitting cotton stretch garments with short to full-length sleeves, mid-calf to fulllength pants, and size 11E (45) shoes weighing about 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) and having a heel height of about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The color of the clothing should be in contrast to the color of the restraint system and the background. The color of the clothing should be chosen to avoid overexposing the highspeed images taken during the test. The ES–2re jacket is sufficient for torso clothing, although a form-fitting shirt may be used if desired. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 265001 (iii) ATD Positioning: (A) Lower the ATD vertically into the seat while simultaneously: (1) Aligning the midsagittal plane (a vertical plane through the midline of the body; dividing the body into right and left halves) with approximately the middle of the seat place. (2) Keeping the upper legs horizontal by supporting them just behind the knees. (3) Applying a horizontal x-axis direction (in the ES–2re ATD coordinate system) force of about 20 lbs (89 N) to the bottom rib of the ES–2re to compress the seat back cushion. (B) After all lifting devices have been removed from the ATD: (1) Rock it slightly to settle it in the seat. (2) Bend the knees of the ATD. (3) Separate the knees by about 4 inches (100 mm). (4) Set the ATD’s head at approximately the midpoint of the available range of z-axis rotation (to align the head and torso midsagittal planes). (5) Position the ATD’s arms at the joint’s mechanical detent to position them to an approximately 20 to 40degree angle with respect to the torso. (6) Position the feet such that the centerlines of the lower legs are approximately parallel. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 10, 2024. Patrick R. Mullen, Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024–29465 Filed 12–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2024–2667; Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00473–T] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by 328 Support Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 104459 2024–03–07, which applies to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328–100 and 328–300 airplanes. AD 2024–03–07 requires a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2024–03–07, the FAA determined that repetitive inspections are necessary. This proposed AD continues to require the actions in AD 2024–03–07 and would require repetitive inspections of the affected part as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 6, 2025. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–2667; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 2024–2667. • 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Salameh, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, E:\FR\FM\23DEP1.SGM 23DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 104455-104459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29465]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 246 / Monday, December 23, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 104455]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2570; Notice No. 25-24-05-SC]


Special Conditions: Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR 
Series Airplanes; Dynamic Test Requirements for Single Occupant Oblique 
Seats at an Installation Angle of 49 Degrees With Airbags and 3-Point 
Restraint or Pretensioner Restraint Systems

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model 
A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR 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 single-occupant oblique 
seat with an airbag and 3-point or pretensioner restraint system 
positioned at a 49-degree angle from the cabin centerline. 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: Send comments on or before January 13, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2024-2570 using 
any of the following methods:
    Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow 
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.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
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: Shannon Lennon, Cabin Safety Section, 
AIR-624, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3209; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 proposed special conditions, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data.
    The proposed special conditions address single-occupant oblique 
seats with airbags and 3-point restraint or pretensioner restraint 
systems at a 49-degree installation angle. The proposed special 
conditions substantially align with previously issued conditions 
(Special Conditions Nos. 25-811-SC and 25-861-SC) but were adapted to 
align with the combination of the novel 49-degree angle installation 
along with the potential use of a pretensioner restraint system. 
Delivery of these airplanes with this novel or unusual design feature 
is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. While the comment 
period provided by the FAA for proposed special conditions has 
typically been thirty days, the FAA is providing twenty days in this 
instance due to the substantive similarity of these conditions with the 
terms of previously issued special conditions, and due to the pendency 
of the anticipated delivery date for the affected airplane models, per 
the criteria in 14 CFR 11.38.
    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.

Privacy

    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) 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 www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report 
summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about these 
special conditions.

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 proposed special conditions. Send 
submissions containing CBI to the individual listed in the For Further 
Information Contact section above. Comments the FAA receives, which are 
not specifically designated as CBI, will be placed in the public docket 
for these proposed special conditions.

Background

    On April 6, 2022, Airbus SAS applied for an amendment to Type 
Certificate

[[Page 104456]]

No. A28NM for the installation of a single-occupant oblique seat with 
an airbag and 3-point or pretensioner restraint system, positioned at a 
49-degree angle from the cabin centerline in new Airbus Model A321 neo 
ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes. Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo 
XLR airplanes, which are derivatives of the Model A321 currently 
approved under TC no. A28NM, are twin-engine, transport category 
airplanes with a maximum passenger capacity of 244. The maximum takeoff 
weight of the Airbus Model A321 neo ACF is approximately 213,848 
pounds, while the Airbus Model A321 neo XLR has a maximum takeoff 
weight of approximately 222,667 pounds.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Airbus SAS must show that 
the Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR 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 Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo 
XLR 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, Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes must 
comply with the 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

    Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes will 
incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature: single-
occupant oblique seats with airbag devices and 3-point restraints or a 
pretensioner restraint system installed at 49 degrees relative to the 
aircraft cabin centerline.

Discussion

    Title 14 of the CFR, Sec.  25.785(d) requires that each occupant of 
a seat installed at an angle of more than 18 degrees relative to 
airplane cabin centerline, must be protected from head injury using a 
seatbelt and an energy-absorbing rest that supports the arms, 
shoulders, head, and spine, or using a seatbelt and shoulder harness 
designed to prevent the head from contacting any injurious object.
    The proposed Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplane's 
single occupant oblique seat installation with airbag devices and 3-
point restraint or pretensioner restraint system is novel such that the 
current requirements do not adequately address airbag or pretensioner 
devices and protection of the occupant's neck, spine, torso, and legs 
for seating configurations that are positioned at an angle of 49 
degrees from the airplane centerline. The seating configuration 
installation angle is beyond the installation-design limits of current 
special conditions issued for seat positions at angles between 18 
degrees and 45 degrees. At angles greater than 45 degrees, lateral neck 
bending and other injury mechanisms prevalent from a fully side-facing 
installation become a concern, given the addition of oblique seat 
properties. To address these potential injury mechanisms, these special 
conditions are based on FAA Policy Statement PS-AIR-25-27, ``Technical 
Criteria for Approving Obliques Seats'' as well as Policy Statement PS-
ANM-25-03-R1, ``Technical Criteria for Approving Side-Facing Seats.''
    To provide a level of safety equivalent to that afforded to the 
occupants of forward and aft-facing seats, new special conditions 
containing additional airworthiness standards for dynamic testing 
requirements, including both the injury criteria limits from the 
oblique-seat policy and the fully side-facing seat policy, are 
necessary.
    FAA-sponsored research found that an un-restrained flailing of the 
upper torso, even when the pelvis and torso are nearly aligned, can 
produce serious spinal and torso injuries. At lower impact severities, 
even with significant misalignment between the torso and pelvis, these 
injuries did not occur. Tests with an FAA H-III anthropomorphic test 
device (ATD) have identified a level of lumbar spinal tension 
corresponding to the no-injury impact severity. The FAA has implemented 
this spinal tension limit in special conditions for oblique seats. The 
spine tension limit selected by the FAA is conservative with respect to 
other aviation injury criteria since it corresponds to a no-injury 
loading condition.
    Other restraint systems, in lieu of single lap belt restrain 
systems, have been used to comply with the occupant injury criteria of 
Sec.  25.562(c)(5). For instance, shoulder harnesses have been widely 
used on flight-attendant seats, flight-deck seats, in business jets, 
and in general-aviation airplanes to reduce occupant head injury in the 
event of an emergency landing. Special conditions, pertinent 
regulations, and published guidance exist that relate to other 
restraint systems. However, the use of pretensioners in the restraint 
system on transport category airplane seats to comply with the occupant 
injury criteria of Sec.  25.562(c)(5) is a novel design.
    Pretensioner technology involves a step-change in loading 
experienced by the occupant for impacts below and above that at which 
the device deploys, because activation of the shoulder harness, at the 
point at which the pretensioner engages, interrupts upper-torso 
excursion. Such an excursion could result in the head-injury criteria 
(HIC) being higher at an intermediate impact condition than that 
resulting from the maximum impact condition corresponding to the test 
conditions specified in Sec.  25.562. See condition (a)(3) in these 
special conditions.
    The ideal triangular maximum-severity pulse is defined in Advisory 
Circular (AC) 25.562-1B, ``Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems 
and Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes.'' For the evaluation 
and testing of less-severe pulses for purposes of assessing the 
effectiveness of the pretensioner setting, a similar triangular pulse 
should be used with acceleration, rise time, and velocity change scaled 
accordingly. The magnitude of the required pulse should not deviate 
below the ideal pulse by more than 0.5g until 1.33 t1 is 
reached, where t1 represents the time interval between 0 and 
t1 on the referenced pulse shape, as shown in AC 25.562-1B. 
This is an acceptable method of compliance with the test requirements 
of the special conditions.
    Additionally, the pretensioner might not provide protection, after 
actuation, during secondary impacts. Therefore, the case where a small 
impact is

[[Page 104457]]

followed by a large impact should be addressed. If the minimum 
deceleration severity at which the pretensioner is set to deploy is 
unnecessarily low, the protection offered by the pretensioner may be 
lost by the time a second, larger impact occurs.
    Conditions (a) through (g) address occupant protection in 
consideration of the oblique-facing seats. Condition (h) addresses 
airbag systems. Conditions (i)(1) through (i)(3) ensure that the 
pretensioner system activates when intended and protects a range of 
occupants under various accident conditions. Conditions (i)(4) through 
(i)(9) address the maintenance and reliability of the pretensioner 
system, including any outside influences on the mechanism, to ensure it 
functions as intended. Condition (j) addresses general instructions 
that supplement these special conditions when tests are required to 
assist with test set-ups and appropriate anthropomorphic test dummy 
(ATD) selection.
    The 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.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are 
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 apply to the other model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature 
on one model series of 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 Proposed Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes.
    In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  25.562 and 25.785, 
passenger seats with airbag devices and 3-point restraints or 
pretensioner restraints installed at an angle 49 degrees from the 
aircraft centerline must meet the following conditions:

(a) Head Injury Criteria (HIC)

    HIC assessments are required only for head contact with the seat 
and other structures.
    (1) Compliance with Sec.  25.562(c)(5) is required, except when an 
airbag device is present in addition to the 3-point restraint system 
and the anthropomorphic test dummy (ATD) has no apparent contact with 
the seat and other structure but has contact with the airbag, a HIC 
score in excess of 1,000 is acceptable, provided the HIC15 score 
(calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208) for that contact is less 
than 700.
    (2) ATD head contact with the seat or other structure, through the 
airbag (if installed), or contact subsequent to contact with the airbag 
requires an HIC value not exceeding 1,000.
    (3) The HIC value must not exceed 1,000 in any condition in which 
the airbag or pretensioner (if installed) does or does not deploy up to 
the maximum severity pulse specified by the existing requirements.
    (4) To accommodate a range of occupant heights (5th percentile 
female to 95th percentile male), any surface, airbag or otherwise, that 
provides support for the occupant's head must provide that support in a 
consistent manner regardless of occupant stature. Otherwise, additional 
HIC assessment tests may be needed.

(b) Body-to-Wall/Furnishing Contact

    If a seat is installed aft of a structure, such as 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 and tests may be required to demonstrate that the injury 
criteria are met for the area an occupant could contact. For example, 
different yaw angles could result in different injury considerations 
and airbag performance, and additional analysis or separate tests may 
be necessary to evaluate performance.

(c) Neck Injury Criteria

    (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing 
serious neck injury. The assessment of neck injury must be conducted 
with the airbag device activated unless there is also reason to 
consider that the neck injury potential would be higher for impacts 
below the airbag device deployment threshold.
    (2) Rotation of the head about its vertical axis, relative to the 
torso, is limited to 105 degrees in either direction from forward-
facing.
    (3) The neck must not impact any surface that would produce 
concentrated loading on the neck.
    (4) Assess neck injury for fore and aft neck bending using an FAA 
Hybrid III ATD, as described in SAE International (SAE) Technical Paper 
1999-01-1609, ``A Lumbar Spine Modification to the Hybrid III ATD for 
Aircraft Seat Tests,'' applying the following criteria:
    (i) The Nij, calculated in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208, must be 
below 1.0, where Nij = Fz/Fzc + My/Myc, and Nij critical values are:

Fzc = 1,530 lbs (6,805 N) for tension
Fzc = 1,385 lbs (6,160 N) for compression
Myc = 229 lb-ft (301 Nm) in flexion
Myc = 100 lb-ft (136 Nm) in extension

    (ii) In addition, peak upper-neck Fz must be below 937 lbs (4,168 
N) in tension and 899 lbs (3,999 N) in compression.
    (5) When lateral neck bending is present, assess it using an ES-2re 
ATD as defined by 49 CFR part 572, subpart U. The data must be filtered 
at channel frequency class 600 as defined in SAE Recommended Practice 
J211/11, ``Instrumentation for Impact Test Part 1--Electronic 
Instrumentation.''
    (i) The upper-neck tension force at the occipital condyle (O.C.) 
location must be less than 405 lbs (1,800 N).
    (ii) The upper-neck compression force at the O.C. location must be 
less than 405 lbs (1,800 N).
    (iii) The upper-neck bending torque about the ATD x-axis at the 
O.C. location must be less than 1,018 in-lbs (115 Nm).
    (iv) The upper-neck resultant shear force at the O.C. location must 
be less than 186 lbs (825 N).

(d) Spine and Torso Injury Criteria

    (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing 
spine and torso injury. The assessment of spine and torso injury must 
be conducted with the airbag device activated unless it is necessary to 
also consider that the occupant-injury potential would be higher for 
impacts below the airbag-device deployment threshold.
    (2) Assess spine and torso injury for oblique torso bending using 
an FAA Hybrid III ATD, applying the following criteria:

[[Page 104458]]

    (i) The lumbar spine tension (Fz) cannot exceed 1,200 lbs (5,338 
N).
    (ii) Significant concentrated loading on the occupant's spine, in 
the area between the pelvis and shoulders during impact, including 
rebound, is not acceptable. During this type of contact, the interval 
for any rearward (X direction) acceleration exceeding 20g must be less 
than 3 milliseconds, as measured by the thoracic instrumentation 
specified in 49 CFR part 572, subpart E, filtered in accordance with 
SAE Recommended Practice J211/1.
    (3) When lateral torso bending is present, assess spine and torso 
injury using an ES-2re ATD, applying the following criteria:
    (i) Thoracic: The deflection of any of the ES-2re ATD upper, 
middle, and lower ribs must not exceed 1.73 inches (44 mm). Process the 
data as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 
571.214, title 49 of the CFR.
    (ii) Abdominal: The sum of the measured ES-2re ATD front, middle, 
and rear abdominal forces must not exceed 562 lbs (2,500 N). Process 
the data as defined in FMVSS 571.214.
    (iii) Upper-torso support: The lateral flexion of the ATD torso 
must not exceed 40 degrees from the normal upright positions during 
impact.

(e) Pelvic Criteria

    (1) The seating system must protect the occupant from experiencing 
pelvis injury.
    (2) Any part of the load-bearing portion of the bottom of the ATD 
pelvis must not translate beyond the edges of the seat-bottom seat-
cushion supporting structure.
    (3) When pelvis contact with the armrest or surrounding interior 
components is present, assess it using an ES-2re ATD. The pubic 
symphysis force measured by the ES-2re ATD must not exceed 1,350 lbs 
(6,000 N). Process the data as defined in FMVSS 571.214.

(f) Femur Criteria

    Limit axial rotations of the upper leg (about the z-axis of the 
femur, per SAE Recommended Practice J211/1) to 35 degrees from the 
nominal seated position. Evaluation during rebound does not need to be 
considered.

(g) ATD and Test Condition

    (1) Perform longitudinal tests to measure the injury criteria above 
using the FAA Hybrid III ATD or the ES-2re ATD. Conduct the tests with 
the undeformed floor, at the most critical yaw cases for injury, and 
with all lateral structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) 
installed.
    (2) For longitudinal tests conducted in accordance with Sec.  
25.562(b)(2), show compliance with the seat-strength requirements of 
Sec.  25.562(c)(7) and (8), and these special conditions, to ensure 
proper loading of the seat by the occupant, the ATD pelvis must remain 
supported by the seat pan, and the restraint system must remain on the 
pelvis of the ATD until rebound begins. No injury criteria evaluation 
is necessary for tests conducted only to assess seat-strength 
requirements.
    (3) If a seat installation includes adjacent items that are within 
contact range of an occupant, assess the injury potential of that 
contact. To make this assessment, tests may be conducted to include the 
actual contact item, located and attached in a representative fashion. 
Alternatively, the injury potential may be assessed through a 
combination of tests with contact items having the same geometry as the 
actual contact item but having stiffness characteristics that would 
create the worst case for injury, such as injuries due to both contact 
with the item and lack of support from the item.
    (4) Conduct the combined horizontal and vertical test, required by 
Sec.  25.562(b)(1) and these special conditions, with a Hybrid II ATD 
(49 CFR part 572, subpart B, as specified in Sec.  25.562) or 
equivalent.
    (5) The design and installation of seat belt buckles must prevent 
unbuckling due to applied inertial forces or impact from seat occupant 
hands and arms during an emergency landing.

(h) Inflatable Airbag-Restraint System Special Conditions (When 
Installed)

    An inflatable airbag-restraint system must meet the requirements of 
Special Conditions No. 25-375-SC, ``Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 
Series Airplanes Inflatable Restraints.''

(i) Pretensioner System Special Conditions (When Installed)

    (1) Protection During Secondary Impacts:
    The pretensioner activation setting must be demonstrated to 
maximize the probability of the protection being available when needed, 
considering secondary impacts.
    (2) Protection of Occupants Other than 50th Percentile:
    Protection of occupants for a range of stature from a 2-year-old 
child to a 95th percentile male must be shown. For shoulder harnesses 
that include pretensioners, protection of occupants other than a 50th 
percentile male may be shown by test or analysis. In addition, the 
pretensioner must not introduce a hazard to passengers due to the 
following seating configurations:
    (i) The seat occupant is holding an infant.
    (ii) The seat occupant is a child in a child-restraint device.
    (iii) The seat occupant is a pregnant woman.
    (3) Occupants Adopting the Brace Position:
    Occupants in the traditional brace position, when the pretensioner 
activates, must not experience adverse effects from the pretensioner 
activation.
    (4) Inadvertent Pretensioner Actuation:
    (i) The probability of inadvertent pretensioner actuation must be 
shown to be extremely remote (i.e., average probability per flight hour 
of less than 10-7).
    (ii) The system must be shown not susceptible to inadvertent 
pretensioner actuation due to wear and tear or inertia loads resulting 
from in-flight or ground maneuvers likely to be experienced in service.
    (iii) The seated occupant must not be seriously injured due to 
inadvertent pretensioner actuation.
    (iv) Inadvertent pretensioner activation must not cause a hazard to 
the airplane nor cause serious injury to anyone positioned close to the 
retractor or belt (e.g., seated in an adjacent seat or standing 
adjacent to the seat).
    (5) Availability of the Pretensioner Function Before Flight:
    The design must provide means for a crewmember to verify the 
availability of the pretensioner function before each flight or the 
probability of failure of the pretensioner function must be 
demonstrated to be extremely remote (i.e., average probability per 
flight hour of less than 10-7 between inspection intervals.)
    (6) Incorrect Seat Belt Orientation:
    The system design must ensure that any incorrect orientation 
(twisting) of the seat belt does not compromise the pretensioner 
protection function.
    (7) Contamination Protection:
    The pretensioner mechanisms and controls must be protected from 
external contamination that could occur on or around passenger seating.
    (8) Prevention of Hazards:
    The pretensioner system must not induce a hazard to passengers in 
case of fire, nor create a fire hazard if activated.
    (9) Functionality After Loss of Power:
    The system must function properly after the loss of normal airplane 
electrical power and after a transverse separation in the fuselage at 
the most critical location. A separation at the location of the system 
does not have to be considered.

[[Page 104459]]

(j) General Test Instructions

    (1) The appropriate ATD to assess occupant injury (FAA Hybrid III 
or ES-2re) will be determined based on the occupant kinematics at the 
selected test angle. At the +10 degree yaw angle, the occupant 
kinematics show that occupant injury tests using both ATDs may be 
required.
    (2) Conduct vertical tests with the Hybrid II ATD or equivalent, 
with existing pass/fail criteria.
    (3) Conduct longitudinal structural tests with the Hybrid II ATD or 
equivalent, deformed floor, with 10 degrees yaw, and with all lateral 
structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) required to support the 
occupant.
    (4) Conduct longitudinal occupant injury tests, as necessary, with 
the Hybrid III ATD or ES-2re ATD, or both, undeformed floor, yaw, and 
with all lateral structural supports (e.g., armrests or walls) 
critically represented which are within the contact range of the 
occupant.
    (i) Pass/fail injury assessments:
    (A) Perform HIC, fore/aft neck injury, spinal tension, and femur 
evaluations using an FAA Hybrid III ATD.
    (B) Perform lateral neck injury, thoracic, abdominal, pelvis, and 
femur evaluations using an ES-2re ATD.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For injury assessments accomplished by testing with the ES-2re 
ATD for the longitudinal test(s) conducted in accordance with Sec.  
25.562(b)(2) and these special conditions, the ATDs must be positioned, 
clothed, and have lateral instrumentation configured as follows:
    (i) ES-2re ATD Lateral Instrumentation:
    The rib-module linear slides are directional (i.e., deflection 
occurs in either a positive or negative ATD y-axis direction). Install 
the modules such that the moving end of the rib module is toward the 
front of the airplane. Install the three abdominal-force sensors so 
that they are on the side of the ATD and toward the front of the 
airplane.
    (ii) ATD Clothing:
    Clothe each ATD in form-fitting cotton stretch garments with short 
to full-length sleeves, mid-calf to full-length pants, and size 11E 
(45) shoes weighing about 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) and having a heel height of 
about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The color of the clothing should be in 
contrast to the color of the restraint system and the background. The 
color of the clothing should be chosen to avoid overexposing the high-
speed images taken during the test. The ES-2re jacket is sufficient for 
torso clothing, although a form-fitting shirt may be used if desired.
    (iii) ATD Positioning:
    (A) Lower the ATD vertically into the seat while simultaneously:
    (1) Aligning the midsagittal plane (a vertical plane through the 
midline of the body; dividing the body into right and left halves) with 
approximately the middle of the seat place.
    (2) Keeping the upper legs horizontal by supporting them just 
behind the knees.
    (3) Applying a horizontal x-axis direction (in the ES-2re ATD 
coordinate system) force of about 20 lbs (89 N) to the bottom rib of 
the ES-2re to compress the seat back cushion.
    (B) After all lifting devices have been removed from the ATD:
    (1) Rock it slightly to settle it in the seat.
    (2) Bend the knees of the ATD.
    (3) Separate the knees by about 4 inches (100 mm).
    (4) Set the ATD's head at approximately the midpoint of the 
available range of z-axis rotation (to align the head and torso 
midsagittal planes).
    (5) Position the ATD's arms at the joint's mechanical detent to 
position them to an approximately 20 to 40-degree angle with respect to 
the torso.
    (6) Position the feet such that the centerlines of the lower legs 
are approximately parallel.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 10, 2024.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-29465 Filed 12-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.