# KTM North America, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 23-0034 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2023-07-25 23-0034 response to KTM North America, Inc. concerning 173.306. ## Document text <<>> 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration July 25, 2023 Mr. John Hinz CEO KTM North America, Inc. 38429 Innovation Court Murrieta, CA 92563 Reference No. 23-0034 Dear Mr. Hinz, This responds to your February 22, 2023, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to accumulators. Specifically, you are requesting an updated letter of interpretation (LOI) pertaining to the carriage of accumulators in closed-case suspension systems on board passenger-carrying aircraft. You reference LOI No. 15-0220, previously issued to you on February 22, 2016, for the purpose of clarity and confirmation for air carriers of the permitted status of your accumulators. In your most recent letter, you ask whether accumulators meeting the criteria specified in § 173.306(f)(4) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions Special Provision “A114” are subject to the HMR. The answer is no. Accumulators meeting the criteria specified in § 173.306(f)(4) and ICAO Technical Instructions Special Provision “A114” are not subject to the HMR. Provided that your accumulators continue to meet these criteria, shipments of your accumulators would continue to not be subject to the HMR. I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, T. Glenn Foster Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> Jacobson 23-0034 From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) To: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps FW: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) Tuesday, April 4, 2023 1:05:31 PM Attachments: image001.png image002.png image003.png image004.png Request for Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4).pdf Hi Alice and team, Please see below for an LOI request. Madison (HMIC) From: Johnson Aria Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 3:24 PM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Cc: Ochoa, Laura J. ; Saul Jaffe ; Grangruth Robin Subject: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Good Afternoon, On behalf of KTM North America Inc., please find the attached letter requesting an updated letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4). Furthermore, should you have any questions or concerns please contact all copied parties listed. Kind Regards, ARIA JOHNSON LEGAL SPECIALIST KTM NORTH AMERICA, INC 38429 Innovation Court Murrieta, CA 92563 P: 951-600-8007 4156 E: Aria.Johnson@ktm.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachments contain information from KTM North America, Inc. and are intended solely for the use of the named recipient or recipients. This e-mail may contain confidential/privileged information. Any dissemination of this e-mail by anyone other than an intended recipient is strictly <<>> prohibited. If you are not a named recipient, you are prohibited from any further viewing of the e-mail or any attachments or from making any use of the e-mail or attachments. If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the e-mail, any attachments, and all copies thereof from any drives or storage media and destroy any printouts of the e-mail or attachments. _______________________________ Diese Nachricht und allfällige angehängte Dokumente sind vertraulich und nur für den/die Adressaten bestimmt. Sollten Sie nicht der beabsichtigte Adressat sein, ist jede Offenlegung, Weiterleitung oder sonstige Verwendung dieser Information nicht gestattet. In diesem Fall bitten wir, den Absender zu verständigen und die Information zu vernichten. Für Übermittlungsfehler oder sonstige Irrtümer bei Übermittlung besteht keine Haftung. _______________________________ This message and any attached files are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). Any publication, transmission or other use of the information by a person or entity other than the intended addressee is prohibited. If you receive this in error please contact the sender and delete the material. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions as a result of the transmission. Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing this e-mail. <<>> Mr. Shane Kelley, Director Standards & Rulemaking Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 infocntr@dot.gov Re: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) Dear Mr. Kelley: We are writing in reference to PHMSA's February 22, 2016, letter of interpretation addressed to KTM North America, Inc., Ref. 15-0220, attached hereto as Exhibit A. We request that your office issue to us an updated letter on the same terms and conditions as the 2016 letter, so that we may continue to provide it to air carriers to confirm they are permitted to transport our accumulators. Specifically, we request a renewed letter of interpretation that confirms the carriage of accumulators in closed-case suspension systems on board passenger-carrying aircraft are not regulated as hazardous materials, per the regulatory exception in 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision "A114" of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions. As described in our original request for a letter of interpretation, - our two racing teams, KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports, often transport suspension systems between races on board passenger-carrying aircraft, rather than use dispatch services, which, at times, are unable to deliver the parts in time for a race. We have found that airlines and airline staff at various airports differ in their approaches to the carriage of our accumulators and suspension systems on board aircraft, and we have had to provide them with PHMSA's 2016 letter to demonstrate the permissibility of transporting our parts. Because the letter is now nearly seven years old, some carriers have questioned the letter's continuing validity. We therefore request an updated letter, on the same terms and conditions as the 2016 letter. We confirm that our accumulators meet the criteria as specified in § 173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision "A114". Attached to this letter as Exhibit B are updated technical drawings and specifications of the closed-case suspension systems used by KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports. The specifications have not materially changed since our original submission in 2015. The only change is with respect to fitment of newer generation motorcycles. Please contact me should you require any additional information. - Sincerely, / John Hinz CEO cc: Laura Ochoa cc: KTM Legal KM NORTH AMERICA, INC. Murrieta. CA 92563 38429 Innovation Court W: wwwktmgroup.com 8701 Rue Samuel-Hatt KTM SPORTMOTORCYCLE MEXICO S DE RL DE CV Chambly. QC J3L-6V4 W: www.ktmgroup.com Lerma. Estado de Mexico CP. 52000 Miguel Aleman Aeropuerto No. 725 Int. 205-207 Col. Parque industrial Lerma l W: www.ktmproup.com T: +52 (728)284.00.05 <<>> EXHIBIT A <<>> Director of Legal Department KIM North America, Inc. 38429 Innovation Ct. Murrieta, CA 92563 Reference No. 15-0220 Dear Ms. Webb: This responds to your letter regarding exceptions for the transportation of accumulators on board a passenger-carrying aircraft under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR: 49 CPR Parts 171-180) and the International Civil Aviation Organizations Technical Instruction for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Aircraft (ICAO Technical Instructions). Consistent with a previously issued letter of interpretation Ref. No. 09-0105. you ask for confirmation of your understanding that closed-case suspension systems used by KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports are not subject to the HMR, provided the accumulators meet all of the requirements of $173.306(f)(4). You attached with your letter documentation from WP Performance Systems, the manufacturer of the suspension systems. substantiating that the systems meet conditions of the ICAO Technical Instructions Special Provision "A114." Your understanding is correct. Accumulators intended to function as shock absorbers, struts. gas springs, pneumatic springs or other impact or energy-absorbing devices are not subject to the HMR. provided they meet the criteria as specified in $ 173.306(f)(4). In addition, articles. containing gas, intended to function as shock absorbers. including impact energy absorbing devices, or pneumatic springs are not subject to the ICAO Technical Instructions. provided each article meets the conditions of Special Provision "A114." if all or part of the transportation is by aircraft. I trust this information is helpful. If you have further questions. please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely. Duane A. Pfund International Standards Coordinator Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> washington, - Subject: Request for Letter of Interpretation Dear Mr. Betts: We are writing to seek guidance regarding the regulatory exceptions under 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision "A114" of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions, for the transportation of closed-case suspension systems on board passenger-carrying aircraft. Our two factory racing teams, KTM Motorsports, Inc. and Husqvarna Motorsports, Inc., desire to carry on board its suspension systems between races, ! rather than use dispatch services which are often not available to deliver these parts in time for a race. We are aware of a June 19, 2009 letter of interpretation provided by your office to ShipMate, Inc., in which Kawasaki Racing sought guidance on the carriage of accumulators on board passenger-carrying aircraft. Similarly, we request a letter of interpretation that confirms the suspension systems used by KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports are not regulated as hazardous materials, provided that they meet the criteria of 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4), which state: Accumulators intended to function as shock absorbers, struts, gas springs, pneumatic springs or other impact or energy-absorbing devices are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter provided each: (i) Has a gas space capacity not exceeding 1.6 L and a charge pressure not exceeding 280 bar, where the product of the capacity expressed in liters and charge pressure expressed in bars does not exceed 80 (for example, 0.5 L gas space and 160 bar charge pressure); (ii) Has a minimum burst pressure of 4 times the charge pressure at 20 °C for products not exceeding 0.5 L gas space capacity and 5 times the charge pressure for products greater than 0.5 L gas space capacity; KTM NORTH AMERICA, INC. 1119 Milan Avenue / Amherst, OH 440DJ /: T: 440-985-3553 / F: 440-985-3060 38429 Innovation Court /i Murrieta, CA 92563 1 1: 951-600-8007 1/ F: 951-600-8866 www.ktmusa.com <<>> copy of the quality assurance program must be maintained at each facility at which the accumulators are manufactured. We have attached documentation from WP Performance Systems, the manufacturer of the suspension systems, which substantiates that the suspension systems fully comply with ICAO Technical Instructions, Special Provision "A114," and therefore with all the requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f(4) as well. Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter. Please contact me should you require any additional information. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, The nit Cheryl Webb Directot of Legal Department T: 951-600-8007 x.4117 KTM NORTH AMERICA, INC. 38429 innovation Court Murrieta, CA 92563 KTM NORTH AMERICA, INC. 1119 Milan Avenue // Amhers!, OH 44001 # T: 440-985-3553 i F: 440-985-3060 38429 Innovation Court // Murrieta, CA 92563:: T: 951-600-8007 1: F: 951-600-8866 www.ktmusa.com <<>> stalinoinerstraise 3 5230 Mattighofen Austria Munderting, 18.06.2015 Dangerous Goods Ladies and Gentleman! WP Performance Systems GmbH confirms that all pressurized forks and shocks containing nitrogen and air are tested with max. burst-pressure according to requirements of Intemational Air Transport Association, Accord Européen Relatif and International Maritime Dangerous Goods. These products do not have to be labelled as dangerous material, as they are subject to special provision IATA (A114), ADR (283), IMDG (283). Mit freundlichen Grüßen, ! daf. Mag. Hannes Haunschmid WP Performance Systenis CmbHi 220 Winded pushi Cosmissarnet foul B tax 143 (0) 1700/20240 91:0 Tell 001/4/320240 0 ingenicine Scarxassr 00 kle Mr 32180078424 92: 20320 BAN AI2470320321000/-1924 BIC. ASPKAI2_ Attachment. PARTS OF YOUR SUCCESS, <<>> EXHIBIT B <<>> <<>> -taEN /3/2 ever wer 12633222 zie tep rale rot Eoce ver Dator ur; 1- ke. Mirier e.2 9 0.. 10-1 go(e) en 3250.1.- 3.6.: $5. 5 0 1 p0.2% ir : eChi DL DENNER 9536-992 <<>> <<>> 8079 g Te lersetat (68602207S durch sithe Seite 1 / see pag Size ISO 14405-1 formers and pestion to chr Matie Geraldargisel Ersteller / Created by Nanie S Wolfgruber 14 06 2021 Gewcht / Mass Date L Leuning S.W oifgruber Name KTM AGT. Date 2021.09-22 | Stotnofnerstrate 3 3230 Nollisten Zur D-Muster Fertigung freigegeben For D-SAMPLE production released Prufet/Approntd by friede 26 08 2021 29.06.2021 Date b(1x) ind (Anz) eG-Verantv. ASM-Responsible SAE 4 309mm 950mm Tellenummer / part.-no. 3/1012N 0144021? 91410118 92420113 012015 Zugatula T: rebound: 6x12x0,25 6x11x0,30 6x12x0,10 6x14x0,10 6x16x0,10 T6x20x0,10 6x12х0,10 T6x20x0,10 -0.1mm Sek/ Modellbezeichnung / Model description KTM 450 SXF Shims Kolben Zugstufe / shims piston rebound STANDARD Federlänge mit Büchse / spring length with spacer. 803w2 435m09 488 mm 45S max Drudstife?: compression Red cone 15 deg 48900923 Spring C=75Nm 4861930 S+S=15,8mm closed+20-25l/min open=45-50l/min Wechselventil Hubhöhe/ Di Viskositat / oil viscosity Federweg/ fork stroke Gabellange / check vaive lift height forklength Stk/ l Oty Flow Flow Feder Bezeichnung/ spring descripticn 432.485.00.050W 1.2085.00050 PC N/mm Zugstufe / rebound 8x26x0,40 A460C109W403200 48601851) 175 0,4 mm Gewich: Fahrer/ iders weisht 321:. 55 79 kg 75-85 kg 165-187 16 85 75 3i2 202222222 Shims Kolben Druckstufe / shims piston compression SETTINGLIST FORK compression damping (clicks open or marking) Druckstufendämpfung (Klicks offen) / zugstufendämpfung (klicks offen)/ rebound damping (clicks open or marking) Preload Adjuster (im Uhirzeigersinn) / Drucksufe/ compression. 6x10x0,10 6x22х0,10 6x20х0,10 6x18x0,10 бх16x0,10 6x14x0,10 6x12x0,20 6x14x0,20 6x16x0,20 6x18x0,15 6x20х0,15 6x22x0,15 6x24x0,15 6x26x0,15 preload adjuster (clock wise) Artikelnummer/ Article number Reservoir Federate / reservoir spring rate Ölmenge (Gabelholm) / oil capacity (fork leg) Olmenge (Cartridge)/ oil capacity (cartridge) Einsteilung/ adjustment Wechselventil Hubhöhe/ check valve lift height STANDARD Stk/ Qty: This legend Husavarna® K <<>> + A --932 04.2 + Nn ax • oue eg.wek.ir-iscs nasra ce 5004-292 Iot 30:" • ba ANIS* acire isaitee: • ie eas te .de iar sa ate? STUECKLISTE / BILL OF MATERIALS aftr hijg nte •AAr SASe se - dagin tond. i7 4a1 sis (agg sAn:»a= Pesnel) tas ARe DET P 13 30. 9900 e, .areur "rg в ve 0n - 1719 utr sion) kait. emeir- as. 90s en Misate toeas kinro Isc hur-aale veo s9410 Beetng Kruiste see wn: dar toiLe Vi Loi htse vicov 200. 's) :ix.. <<>> that-lucks narrator. a ceo eason 20 ester Deraser stare doesar asl I see - roseS Tig Husayama E maar <<>> <<>> 3575 g Pl.-Position definert (Serte 21 Pr. Modell aktualissert, Fartg Wº2021 to natura: Te serane invention/ Size ISO 14405-1 For want pasten to en Ersteller/ Created by Name L Leuning Date 07102020 KTM AG Gewicht / Mass ¿ Leuning Swolfgruber Name Date 2022-03-07 Zur D-Muster Fertigung freigegeben For D-SAMPLE production released Prufet/Approved sy T botoad 21.02 2022 05.07.2021 Date b 11x) Ind. (Anz) ASM-Responsible 38 mm 105 mm 138,4mm Tellenummer/ 9:2:0:33 41.001 91210133 $1210132 Shims Nut / himsnut description fut Maurpuone Nel nut assemblyno. Qty. liftheight: ..23N/mm 16,3 mm 110 N/mm 42,5 mm 50181325 Modellbezeichnung / Model description KTM 450 SXF Druckstufenventil Baugruppe Nr. / compression damping valve assembly no. S01292000650000 TXN Feder / TXN spring STANDARD 8 mm Federla nge mit Büchse / spring length with spacer 240 mm Rate /tate Länge + Spacer/ tength espacer Details Druckstufenventil / details compression unit Bezelchaungl description 6x12x0,20 6x14x0,20 6x16x0,20 6x18x0,20 6x20x0,20 6x22x0,20 6x17x0,10 6x22x0,15 Rate / rate Lange + Spacer / length +spacer Artikeinummer/ Articie number Statischer Durchhang/ Feder/ spring static SAG Fahrtdurchhang / riding sAG federweg/ i shock stroke Feder Bezeichnung/ orine darchotion 1210022 (62/65) 45-240 PC 8 bar SAE 25 456,3mm Diptute / rebound. 50181092 12x23x0,30 12x26x0,30 2x28x0,30 2x30x0,30 12x32x0,30 12x34x0,30 12x35x0,30 12x38x0,30 12x24x0,10 12x28x0.10 12x38x0,20 A460C409W411200 Gewicht Fahrer / riders weight. 13 125: 143307 75-85 kg 165-187 lb TruckstufendämpfungLow Speed (klicks offen baw, Markierung) / SETTINGLIST SHOCK compressiondampinglowspeed (klicks open or marking) Druckstuferdampfung wigh Speed (Umdrehungen offen)/ estulendämpfung Low Speed (Klicks offen bzw. Markierung)/ ugstufenda mpfung Mign Speed (Klicks offen biw. Markierung) /- compressiondampinghigh speed (tums open) rebound dampinglow speed (clicks open or marking) ebound dampinghigh speed (clicks openor.marking) himcKolhon 1 ! shimspiston 1 Drucktuff compression 12x34x0,25 12x22x0,25 12x24x0,25 12x26x0,25 12x28x0,25 12x 30x0,25 12x32x0,25. 12x34x0,25 12x36x0,25 12x38x0,25 12x40x0,25 12x42x0,25 12x44x0,25 12x36x0,10 12x44x0,20 Artikelnummer / Article number federvorspannung/ Unstellung / adjustment springpreload Gasdruck/ as pressure Of Viskositat/ bil viscosity Enbsulange / shocklength STANDARD ay king of reproduction of this document ASBAS tizan of this Column 25 well 25t P G Husqvarna MOTORCYCLES information in other languages is for intormation purposes only Information in English or German must be observed - ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `ee28b83b95643883947df44df04b85733ee3eafe77999e465324aa84c94f8082` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-23T01:03:36.107Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-23-0034` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "KTM North America, Inc." ], "individuals": [ "Mr. John Hinz" ], "refIds": [ "23-0034" ], "catalogDates": [ "2023-07-25" ], "catalogParts": [ 173 ], "catalogRowCount": 1, "sourceRecordUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/node/73811" ], "linkedAttachmentUrls": [], "unavailableResponseUrls": [], "duplicateRepresentationUrls": [], "citedSections": [ "173.306", "173.306(f)(4)" ], "catalogPageUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/173306" ], "pdfUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77851/230034.pdf" ], "representations": [ { "viewUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77851/230034.pdf", "detailUrl": null, "detailHtmlPath": null, "pdfUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77851/230034.pdf", "pdfArtifactPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/23-0034-022d8dd28c.pdf", "pdfArtifactSha256": "9269f65f0d94a21742ba805d510ba44649772a96f02f5fc07b9d1b041b93fefe", "extractedTextPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/23-0034-022d8dd28c.v2.txt", "extractedTextSha256": "001e196856d9fad404504ff5c09c903114411efafe417b52f59f459027cd2e21", "pageCount": 18, "extractionVersion": 2 } ], "caveat": "Interpretations apply regulations to the facts presented and do not create independently enforceable requirements.", "jurisdiction": "US" } ```