[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 10108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5433]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Lithium Batteries
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments
on a proposed technical standard order (TSO) pertaining to lithium
batteries. The proposed TSO prescribes the minimum performance
standards that lithium batteries must meet to be identified with the
marking ``TSO-C142.''
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 13, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order
to: Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120,
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service--File No.
TSO-C142, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation
Administration, Room 804, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20591. Comments must identify the TSO file number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Program and Continued Airworthiness
Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-9546.
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO
listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views, or
arguments as they desire to the above specified address. Comments
received on the proposed TSO order may be examined, before and after
the comment closing date, in Room 804, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB-
10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays
except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments
specified above will be considered by the Director of the Aircraft
Certification Service before issuing the final TSO.
Background
In the late 1970's there were numerous reports of emergency locator
transmitters, powered by lithium sulfur dioxide batteries, exploding,
corroding, and venting toxic gases in general aviation airplanes. This
resulted in a series of three airworthiness directives (Amendment 39-
3549 (44 FR 50321, August 27, 1979), Amendment 39-3422 (44 FR 10980;
February 26, 1979), and amendment 39-3708 (45 FR 13051, February 28,
1980)) to correct the safety problem and the issuance of TSO-C97,
specifically for lithium sulfur dioxide batteries. Since TSO-C97 was
issued, there have been few installations using lithium sulfur
batteries in aircraft equipment. Other batteries, however, of different
lithium chemistries, sizes, and construction are widely used today in
non aviation applications.
Lithium batteries are desired for installation in aircraft because
of their high energy per unit weight and volume, high cell voltage,
relatively constant voltage during discharge, excellent low-temperature
performance, and long shelf life. They continue to pose a potential
safety hazard if not chosen carefully for the intended use, and used
within their design and test limitations throughout their life cycle.
Proposed TSO-C142 prescribes a means of assuring that lithium batteries
will perform their intended function safely under conditions normally
encountered in aeronautical operations.
How To Obtain Copies
A copy of the proposed TSO-C142 may be obtained by contacting FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Copies of RTCA Document No. DO-227,
``Lithium Batteries,'' dated June 23, 1995, may be purchased from the
RTCA Inc., 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1020, Washington, DC
20036.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 24, 1997.
Brian A. Yanez,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5433 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
