Special Conditions: Airbus Model A350-900 Airplanes; Permanently Installed Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries and Battery Systems

These special conditions are issued for Airbus Model A350-900 airplanes. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with permanently installed rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and battery systems. These batteries have certain failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that differ significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on large transport-category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.