AC 25-17A

Advisory circular · Transport Airplane Cabin Interiors Crashworthiness Handbook

Approved
May 18, 2009
Last reviewed
June 27, 2016
Cancels
AC25-17
Family
AC 25-17 · 2 versions
Revision
A
14 CFR parts
25
Cited by
1 AD

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed October 23, 2026.

Show pages 13–24

(2) Paragraph (c)(5). The FAA issued policy memorandum ANM-03-115-28, dated October 2, 2003, and titled “Policy Statement on Use of Surrogate Parts When Evaluating Seatbacks and Seatback Mounted Accessories for Compliance with §§ 25.562(c)(5) and

25.785(b) and (d). This policy may be used with any test method used to demonstrate compliance with blunt force trauma for items mounted on the seatback. The new policy may be used for demonstrating compliance with § 25.562(c)(5), Amendment 25-64, and is provided below. (Amendment 25-64)

(i) The FAA has determined that it is acceptable to use a surrogate test article made of 6061-T4 aluminum which meets the criteria below in lieu of an accessory for demonstrating compliance with §§ 25.562(c)(5) and 25.785(b) and (d) for blunt trauma assessments. An exception to the use of the surrogate test article occurs when the accessory is more rigid (deflects less and absorbs less energy during impact) than the plate defined in this memorandum. In that case, the accessory should be used in the test(s) and not a surrogate test article. The following criteria are applicable when using a surrogate test article during blunt trauma testing in accordance with §§ 25.562(c)(5) and 25.785(b) and (d): (Amendment 25-64) (A) The surrogate part should be fabricated from 6061-T4 aluminum and have a minimum thickness of 0.238-inch (i.e., 0.25-inch minus a 0.012-inch manufacturing tolerance) at all locations. The length and width of the surrogate part should equal, within tolerances, the length and width of the actual part, respectively. (Amendment 25-64) (B) The exposed surface of the surrogate part that will be impacted should be flat. That is, it is not required to have the contour of the accessory’s exposed surface represented by the surrogate part. Note that this is based on typical accessory installations, which are essentially mounted flush with the seatback and have a generally homogeneous contact area.

Small variations in the surface due to the contour of plastic parts may be ignored. Designs that differ from this (e.g., a design with an exposed structural protrusion) might require the exposed surface of the actual part to be represented in order to adequately assess head injury potential.

(Amendment 25-64) (C) The weight of the surrogate part, and additional ballast if needed, should be ±10 percent of the weight of the actual part. (Amendment 25-64) (D) The surrogate part should be located on the seatback in the same place

(i.e., within manufacturing tolerances for mounting the actual part) where the actual part would be located in terms of the x and y coordinates in Figure 22-1. The surrogate part should be located such that the surface, which will be contacted during the test, is at the same location (i.e., within manufacturing tolerances for mounting the actual part) where the actual part would be in terms of the z coordinate (refer to figure 22-1). (Amendment 25-64) (E) The surrogate part should be attached to the seat by the final production hardware or a conservative representation of the final production hardware. For substantiating blunt trauma requirements, a conservative representation of the attachment hardware would be at least as rigid as the actual hardware. The surrogate part should be mounted so that it would not move farther or faster, with respect to the seatback, than the actual part during the test. Note that

10 a conservative representation of the attachment hardware for determining HIC may not adequately represent the attachment hardware for substantiating it to § 25.562 loads. However, if the attachment hardware is adequately represented for substantiating it to § 25.562 loads, the test using a surrogate part may also be used to demonstrate that the attachment hardware will retain the actual accessory under § 25.562 loads. (Amendment 25-64) (F) If the surrogate part cracks during a test, the test results are invalid.

(Amendment 25-64) (G) A surrogate part made of a material and thickness other than 6061-T4 aluminum in a nominal thickness of 0.25-inch may be used if an FAA Aircraft Certification Office finds that it is at least as rigid (i.e., it deflects less and absorbs less energy during the test).

Surrogate test articles which are less rigid than the aluminum surrogate part defined above are not addressed in this AC. If an applicant desires to use a surrogate part which is less rigid, its use should be approved through the issue paper process (or equivalent) or by an FAA policy memorandum. Testing may be required to determine the acceptability of these less rigid surrogate parts. (Amendment 25-64)

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FIGURE 22-1 SURROGATE PART INSTALLED ON SEATBACK Surrogate part installed on the back side of the seatback in lieu of the actual accessory.

The x and y axes are in the plane of the backside of the seatback 23 - 40. [RESERVED] 11

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13 SECTION 25.772 PILOT COMPARTMENT DOORS

41. Section 25.772 Did Not Exist Prior to Amendment 25-33.

42. AMENDMENT 25-33, Effective October 21, 1972.

a. Regulation.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if a lockable door is installed between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment to comply with § 121.313(f) of this chapter, the emergency exit configuration of the airplane must be designed so that neither crewmembers nor passengers need use that door in order to reach the emergency exits provided for them.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to an airplane that-

(l) Has a maximum passenger seating configuration of 20 seats or less; or

(2) Is excepted from the equipment requirements of § 121.313(f) under the provisions of § 121.583(a) of this chapter.

b. Guidance. There is no guidance for this regulation.

43. AMENDMENT 25-47, Effective December 24, 1979.

a. Regulation.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if a lockable door is installed between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment to comply with § 121.313(f) of this chapter, the emergency exit configuration of the airplane must be designed so that neither crewmembers nor passengers need use that door in order to reach the emergency exits provided for them. [However, for passenger configuration, means must be provided to enable flight crewmembers to directly enter the passenger compartment from the pilot compartment if the cockpit door becomes jammed.]

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to an airplane that-

(1) Has a maximum passenger seating configuration of 20 seats or less; or

(2) Is excepted from the equipment requirements of § 121.313(f) under the provisions of § 121.583(a) of this chapter.

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraph (a). Compliance may be shown by either analysis or demonstration.

(Amendment 25-47)

(2) Paragraph (a). Acceptance of frangible doors. The following test procedure is acceptable to demonstrate that the door between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment will not block the flight crewmembers' escape in the event the door is jammed. An acceptable means of showing compliance is by demonstrating that the door is frangible and the flightcrew participants can rapidly egress from the pilot compartment without assistance.

(Amendment 25-47)

(i) The test should be conducted in an airplane, or a mockup if the mockup conforms to the production airplane's interior configuration. If a mockup is used, it should include the observer's seat(s), if they are part of the type design, and the bulkhead and door to be tested. The door should be blocked to simulate possible jamming from the top, bottom, and sides (closing and locking alone may not be adequate to simulate all possible jamming). If the fragments from the broken door could cause an obstruction to the escape routes for passenger emergency egress, and if an emergency evacuation demonstration is required by airworthiness regulations or operating rules, consideration should be given to include the passengers in the test.

For emergency evacuation demonstrations with passengers, refer to § 25.803(c), Amendment 25-

15. (Amendment 25-47)

(ii) Two participants representing a pilot in the left crew seat and a copilot in the right crew seat should be used for the test. They should be persons with no special escape abilities. The crewmembers should be a female approximately 60-inches tall and weighing no more than 102 lbs and a male approximately 74-inches tall and weighing no less than 210 lbs.

The foregoing statures and weights represent the 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male occupants respectively. The female participant will be instructed to break the door and be the first person to egress without assistance from the male participant. Instructions for enhancing the egress should be limited to those instructions that will be provided in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) or on the related placards. (Amendment 25-47)

(iii) The test should be conducted in night conditions. If conducted in a hangar during the day, the hangar should be draped and taped so that all sunlight is prevented from entering the hangar. Similar conditions should exist if conducted at night either in or out of a hangar. Lighting may be allowed at ground level to aid in leaving the area near the airplane providing the lighting is kept low and shielded so it does not aid evacuating the airplane. Use of emergency lighting is acceptable. (Amendment 25-47)

(iv) Personnel participating should be informed of the purpose of the demonstration and of the safety precautions. Safety of participants is the responsibility of the applicant, and should be considered to prevent injuries to the participants without compromising the test results.

Participants may wear protective gear such as crash helmets, but the protective gear, tools, or any other device should not be used to break through the door. (Amendment 25-47)

44. AMENDMENT 25-72, Effective August 20, 1990.

a. Regulation.

[For an airplane that has a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than 20 seats and that has a lockable door installed between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment:

(a) The emergency exit configuration must be designed so that neither crewmembers nor passengers need use that door in order to reach the emergency exits provided for them; and

(b) Means must be provided to enable flight crewmembers to directly enter the passenger compartment from the pilot compartment if the cockpit door becomes jammed.]

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraph (b). Compliance may be shown by either analysis or demonstration.

(Amendment 25-47)

(2) Paragraph (b). Acceptance of frangible doors. The following test procedure is acceptable to demonstrate that the door between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment will not block the flight crewmembers' escape in the event the door is jammed. An acceptable means of showing compliance is by demonstrating that the door is frangible and the flightcrew participants can rapidly egress from the pilot compartment without assistance.

(Amendment 25-47)

(i) The test should be conducted in an airplane, or a mockup if the mockup conforms to the production airplane's interior configuration. If a mockup is used, it should include the observer's seat(s), if they are part of the type design, and the bulkhead and door to be tested. The door should be blocked to simulate possible jamming from the top, bottom, and sides (closing and locking alone may not be adequate to simulate all possible jamming). If the fragments from the broken door could cause an obstruction to the escape routes for passenger emergency egress, and if an emergency evacuation demonstration is required by airworthiness regulations or operating rules, consideration should be given to include the passengers in the test.

For emergency evacuation demonstrations with passengers, refer to § 25.803(c), Amendment 25-

15. (Amendment 25-47)

(ii) Two participants representing a pilot in the left crew seat and a copilot in the right crew seat should be used for the test. They should be persons with no special escape abilities. The crewmembers should be a female approximately 60-inches tall and weighing no more than 102 lbs and a male approximately 74-inches tall and weighing no less than 210 lbs.

The foregoing statures and weights represent the 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male occupants respectively. The female participant will be instructed to break the door and be the first person to egress without assistance from the male participant. Instructions for enhancing the

16 egress should be limited to those instructions that will be provided in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) or on the related placards. (Amendment 25-47)

(iii) The test should be conducted in night conditions. If conducted in a hangar during the day, the hangar should be draped and taped so that all sunlight is prevented from entering the hangar. Similar conditions should exist if conducted at night either in or out of a hangar. Lighting may be allowed at ground level to aid in leaving the area near the airplane providing the lighting is kept low and shielded so it does not aid evacuating the airplane. Use of emergency lighting is acceptable. (Amendment 25-47)

(iv) Personnel participating should be informed of the purpose of the demonstration and of the safety precautions. Safety of participants is the responsibility of the applicant, and should be considered to prevent injuries to the participants without compromising the test results.

Participants may wear protective gear such as crash helmets, but the protective gear, tools, or any other device should not be used to break through the door. (Amendment 25-47)

45. AMENDMENT 25-106, Effective January 15, 2002.

a. Regulation.

For an airplane that has a [lockable door installed between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment:

(a) For airplanes with a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than 20 seats, the emergency exit configuration must be designed so that neither crewmembers nor passengers require use of the flightdeck door in order to reach the emergency exits provided for them;]

(b) Means must be provided to enable flight crewmembers to directly enter the passenger compartment from the pilot compartment if the cockpit door becomes jammed.

[(c) There must be an emergency means to enable a flight attendant to enter the pilot compartment in the event that the flightcrew becomes incapacitated.]

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraph (b). Compliance may be shown by either analysis or demonstration.

(Amendment 25-47)

(2) Paragraph (b). Acceptance of frangible doors. The following test procedure is acceptable to demonstrate that the door between the pilot compartment and the passenger compartment will not block the flight crewmembers' escape in the event the door is jammed. An acceptable means of showing compliance is by demonstrating that the door is frangible and the

17 flightcrew participants can rapidly egress from the pilot compartment without assistance.

(Amendment 25-47)

(i) The test should be conducted in an airplane, or a mockup if the mockup conforms to the production airplane's interior configuration. If a mockup is used, it should include the observer's seat(s), if they are part of the type design, and the bulkhead and door to be tested. The door should be blocked to simulate possible jamming from the top, bottom, and sides (closing and locking alone may not be adequate to simulate all possible jamming). If the fragments from the broken door could cause an obstruction to the escape routes for passenger emergency egress, and if an emergency evacuation demonstration is required by airworthiness regulations or operating rules, consideration should be given to include the passengers in the test.

For emergency evacuation demonstrations with passengers, refer to § 25.803(c), Amendment 25-

15. (Amendment 25-47)

(ii) Two participants representing a pilot in the left crew seat and a copilot in the right crew seat should be used for the test. They should be persons with no special escape abilities. The crewmembers should be a female approximately 60-inches tall and weighing no more than 102 lbs and a male approximately 74-inches tall and weighing no less than 210 lbs.

The foregoing statures and weights represent the 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male occupants respectively. The female participant will be instructed to break the door and be the first person to egress without assistance from the male participant. Instructions for enhancing the egress should be limited to those instructions that will be provided in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) or on the related placards. (Amendment 25-47)

(iii) The test should be conducted in night conditions. If conducted in a hangar during the day, the hangar should be draped and taped so that all sunlight is prevented from entering the hangar. Similar conditions should exist if conducted at night either in or out of a hangar. Lighting may be allowed at ground level to aid in leaving the area near the airplane providing the lighting is kept low and shielded so it does not aid evacuating the airplane. Use of emergency lighting is acceptable. (Amendment 25-47)

(iv) Personnel participating should be informed of the purpose of the demonstration and of the safety precautions. Safety of participants is the responsibility of the applicant, and should be considered to prevent injuries to the participants without compromising the test results.

Participants may wear protective gear such as crash helmets, but the protective gear, tools, or any other device should not be used to break through the door. (Amendment 25-47)

(3) Paragraph (c). Refer to Appendix 11, FAA Memorandum, 01-115-11, Original Release: dated November 6, 2001, Revised December 3, 2002, “Subject: Certification of Strengthened Flightdeck Doors on Transport Category Airplanes.” This policy memorandum outlines acceptable means of compliance with this paragraph and many other regulatory requirements that were affected by Amendment 25-106. (Amendment 25-106) 46 - 60. [RESERVED]

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19 SECTION 25.783 DOORS

61. REGULATION IN EFFECT AT ADOPTION OF PART 25.

a. Regulation.

(a) Each cabin must have at least one easily accessible external door.

(b) There must be a means to lock and safeguard each external door against opening in flight (either inadvertently by persons or as a result of mechanical failure). Each external door must be openable from both the inside and the outside, even though persons may be crowded against the door on the inside of the airplane. Inward opening doors may be used if there are means to prevent occupants from crowding against the door to an extent that would interfere with the opening of the door. The means of opening must be simple and obvious and must be arranged and marked so that it can be readily located and operated, even in darkness. Auxiliary locking devices may be used.

(c) Each external door must be reasonably free from jamming as a result of fuselage deformation in a minor crash.

(d) Each external door must be located where persons using them will not be endangered by the propellers when appropriate operating procedures are used.

(e) There must be a provision for direct visual inspection of the locking mechanism by crewmembers to determine whether external doors, for which the initial opening movement is outward (including passenger, crew, service, and cargo doors), are fully locked. In addition, there must be a visual means to signal to appropriate crewmembers when normally used external doors are closed and fully locked.

(f) Cargo and service doors not suitable for use as an exit in an emergency need only meet paragraph (e) of this section and be safeguarded against opening in flight as a result of mechanical failure.

b. Guidance.

(l) Paragraphs (b) through (e). The requirements of these paragraphs apply to all cabin and pilot compartment external doors usable for entrance or egress. It is not restricted to the main cabin door. Cargo and service doors not suitable for emergency egress need only comply with § 25.783(e) and be safeguarded against opening in flight as a result of mechanical failure.

(Amendment 25-0)

(2) Paragraph (b). Auxiliary locking devices. (Amendment 25-0)

(i) The use of auxiliary locking devices is permitted. Such devices would include dual locking handles, other types of locking and safety devices, two position handles, and dual operation handles (where one operation such as pushing or pulling on the handle unlocks the latching mechanism and the second operation of turning the handle unlatches the door for opening). Auxiliary locking devices should be used only as an additional safety factor and should not be used as a means of correcting an inadequate design of the primary locking or latching means. The advantages to be gained from the installation of auxiliary or dual locking devices (safety chains and dual handle main locking means) should be weighed against the need to easily and rapidly open the door in case of emergencies so that the overall level of safety is as high as practicable. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) All locking or safety means, including safety chains and latches of any kind, should be so positioned and designed that their presence, location and means of operation are obvious to one not familiar with door designs. (Amendment 25-0) (A) The means of fastening safety devices should be sufficiently simple to make removal easy. (Amendment 25-0) (B) Any emergency release mechanism installed to release the safety device should operate with a simple motion and upon the application of relatively small forces.

(Amendment 25-0) (C) All locking devices should be readily operable from both inside and outside of the airplane and be appropriately marked both inside and outside. (Amendment 25-0)

(iii) Auxiliary safety devices meeting the standards of paragraph (ii) above may be fastened in place during the entire flight. It will not be necessary to have such devices unlatched during takeoff and landing. Auxiliary safety devices such as safety chains or bars that do not meet the standards of paragraph (ii) above may be used provided operating instructions are installed at or near the device and a placard is installed requiring the removal of such devices prior to takeoff and landing. For related guidance, Refer to paragraph 351b(3). (Amendment 25-

0)

(3) Paragraph (b). Power operated external doors. Power operated doors should be so designed that the door can be opened by manual means even when power is inactivated. The loss of power should not cause the door to become unlatched. Since emergency landings, such as the wheels-up condition, may result in the severance of electrical wires or rupture of hydraulic and pneumatic lines, the power which may be needed for operation of the doors or exits may be lost. Similarly, it is conceivable that under emergency conditions, the electrical power source may be purposely interrupted to reduce the possibility of fire. (Amendment 25-0)

(4) Paragraphs (b) and (e). Means for safeguarding against inadvertent opening in flight. Auxiliary locking devices may be used to reduce the probability of inadvertent opening in flight provided they meet the standards and conditions covered above. (Amendment 25-0)