{"operation":"document","citation":"23-0034","title":"KTM North America, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2023-07-25","effective_on":null,"summary":"23-0034 response to KTM North America, Inc. concerning 173.306.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0034.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0034.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0034","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77851/230034.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJuly 25, 2023\nMr. John Hinz\nCEO\nKTM North America, Inc.\n38429 Innovation Court\nMurrieta, CA 92563\nReference No. 23-0034\nDear Mr. Hinz,\nThis responds to your February 22, 2023, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to accumulators. Specifically,\nyou are requesting an updated letter of interpretation (LOI) pertaining to the carriage of\naccumulators in closed-case suspension systems on board passenger-carrying aircraft. You\nreference LOI No. 15-0220, previously issued to you on February 22, 2016, for the purpose of\nclarity and confirmation for air carriers of the permitted status of your accumulators. In your\nmost recent letter, you ask whether accumulators meeting the criteria specified in § 173.306(f)(4)\nand the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions Special\nProvision “A114” are subject to the HMR.\nThe answer is no. Accumulators meeting the criteria specified in § 173.306(f)(4) and ICAO\nTechnical Instructions Special Provision “A114” are not subject to the HMR. Provided that your\naccumulators continue to meet these criteria, shipments of your accumulators would continue to\nnot be subject to the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nJacobson\n23-0034\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps\nFW: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4)\nTuesday, April 4, 2023 1:05:31 PM\nAttachments: image001.png\nimage002.png\nimage003.png\nimage004.png\nRequest for Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4).pdf\nHi Alice and team,\nPlease see below for an LOI request.\nMadison (HMIC)\nFrom: Johnson Aria \nSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 3:24 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) \nCc: Ochoa, Laura J. ; Saul Jaffe ;\nGrangruth Robin \nSubject: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. §\n173.306(f)(4)\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content\nis safe.\nGood Afternoon,\nOn behalf of KTM North America Inc., please find the attached letter requesting an updated letter of\nInterpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4).\nFurthermore, should you have any questions or concerns please contact all copied parties listed.\nKind Regards,\nARIA JOHNSON\nLEGAL SPECIALIST\nKTM NORTH AMERICA, INC\n38429 Innovation Court\nMurrieta, CA 92563\nP: 951-600-8007 4156\nE: Aria.Johnson@ktm.com\nCONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachments contain information from KTM North America, Inc. and are intended solely for the use of the named\nrecipient 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\n\n<<>>\n\nprohibited. 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\nattachments. 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\nfrom any drives or storage media and destroy any printouts of the e-mail or attachments.\n_______________________________\nDiese Nachricht und allfällige angehängte Dokumente sind vertraulich und nur für den/die\nAdressaten bestimmt. Sollten Sie nicht der beabsichtigte Adressat sein, ist jede Offenlegung,\nWeiterleitung oder sonstige Verwendung dieser Information nicht gestattet. In diesem Fall bitten\nwir, den Absender zu verständigen und die Information zu vernichten. Für Übermittlungsfehler oder\nsonstige Irrtümer bei Übermittlung besteht keine Haftung.\n_______________________________\nThis message and any attached files are confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). Any\npublication, transmission or other use of the information by a person or entity other than the\nintended addressee is prohibited. If you receive this in error please contact the sender and delete\nthe material. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions as a result of the\ntransmission. Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing this e-mail.\n\n<<>>\n\nMr. Shane Kelley, Director Standards & Rulemaking\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\ninfocntr@dot.gov\nRe: KTM North America, Inc. Request for Updated Letter of Interpretation regarding 14 C.F.R. §\n173.306(f)(4)\nDear Mr. Kelley:\nWe are writing in reference to PHMSA's February 22, 2016, letter of interpretation addressed to KTM North\nAmerica, Inc., Ref. 15-0220, attached hereto as Exhibit A. We request that your office issue to us an updated letter\non the same terms and conditions as the 2016 letter, so that we may continue to provide it to air carriers to confirm\nthey are permitted to transport our accumulators.\nSpecifically, we request a renewed letter of interpretation that confirms the carriage of accumulators in\nclosed-case suspension systems on board passenger-carrying aircraft are not regulated as hazardous materials,\nper the regulatory exception in 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision \"A114\" of the International Civil\nAviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions. As described in our original request for a letter of interpretation,\n-\nour two racing teams, KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports, often transport suspension systems between\nraces on board passenger-carrying aircraft, rather than use dispatch services, which, at times, are unable to deliver\nthe parts in time for a race. We have found that airlines and airline staff at various airports differ in their approaches\nto the carriage of our accumulators and suspension systems on board aircraft, and we have had to provide them\nwith PHMSA's 2016 letter to demonstrate the permissibility of transporting our parts. Because the letter is now nearly\nseven years old, some carriers have questioned the letter's continuing validity. We therefore request an updated\nletter, on the same terms and conditions as the 2016 letter.\nWe confirm that our accumulators meet the criteria as specified in § 173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision \"A114\".\nAttached to this letter as Exhibit B are updated technical drawings and specifications of the closed-case suspension\nsystems used by KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports. The specifications have not materially changed\nsince our original submission in 2015. The only change is with respect to fitment of newer generation motorcycles.\nPlease contact me should you require any additional information.\n-\nSincerely,\n/ John Hinz\nCEO\ncc: Laura Ochoa\ncc: KTM Legal\nKM NORTH AMERICA, INC.\nMurrieta. CA 92563\n38429 Innovation Court\nW: wwwktmgroup.com\n8701 Rue Samuel-Hatt\nKTM SPORTMOTORCYCLE MEXICO S DE RL DE CV\nChambly. QC J3L-6V4\nW: www.ktmgroup.com\nLerma. Estado de Mexico CP. 52000\nMiguel Aleman Aeropuerto No. 725 Int. 205-207 Col. Parque industrial Lerma l\nW: www.ktmproup.com\nT: +52 (728)284.00.05\n\n<<>>\n\nEXHIBIT A\n\n<<>>\n\nDirector of Legal Department\nKIM North America, Inc.\n38429 Innovation Ct.\nMurrieta, CA 92563\nReference No. 15-0220\nDear Ms. Webb:\nThis responds to your letter regarding exceptions for the transportation of accumulators on\nboard a passenger-carrying aircraft under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR: 49\nCPR Parts 171-180) and the International Civil Aviation Organizations Technical Instruction\nfor the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Aircraft (ICAO Technical Instructions).\nConsistent with a previously issued letter of interpretation Ref. No. 09-0105. you ask for\nconfirmation of your understanding that closed-case suspension systems used by KTM\nMotorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports are not subject to the HMR, provided the\naccumulators meet all of the requirements of $173.306(f)(4). You attached with your letter\ndocumentation from WP Performance Systems, the manufacturer of the suspension systems.\nsubstantiating that the systems meet conditions of the ICAO Technical Instructions Special\nProvision \"A114.\"\nYour understanding is correct. Accumulators intended to function as shock absorbers, struts.\ngas springs, pneumatic springs or other impact or energy-absorbing devices are not subject to\nthe HMR. provided they meet the criteria as specified in $ 173.306(f)(4). In addition, articles.\ncontaining gas, intended to function as shock absorbers. including impact energy absorbing\ndevices, or pneumatic springs are not subject to the ICAO Technical Instructions. provided\neach article meets the conditions of Special Provision \"A114.\" if all or part of the\ntransportation is by aircraft.\nI trust this information is helpful. If you have further questions. please do not hesitate to\ncontact this office.\nSincerely.\nDuane A. Pfund\nInternational Standards Coordinator\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nwashington, -\nSubject:\nRequest for Letter of Interpretation\nDear Mr. Betts:\nWe are writing to seek guidance regarding the regulatory exceptions under 49 C.F.R. §\n173.306(f)(4) and Special Provision \"A114\" of the International Civil Aviation Organization\n(ICAO) Technical Instructions, for the transportation of closed-case suspension systems on\nboard passenger-carrying aircraft. Our two factory racing teams, KTM Motorsports, Inc. and\nHusqvarna Motorsports, Inc., desire to carry on board its suspension systems between races,\n!\nrather than use dispatch services which are often not available to deliver these parts in time\nfor a race.\nWe are aware of a June 19, 2009 letter of interpretation provided by your office to ShipMate,\nInc., in which Kawasaki Racing sought guidance on the carriage of accumulators on board\npassenger-carrying aircraft. Similarly, we request a letter of interpretation that confirms the\nsuspension systems used by KTM Motorsports and Husqvarna Motorsports are not regulated\nas hazardous materials, provided that they meet the criteria of 49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f)(4),\nwhich state:\nAccumulators intended to function as shock absorbers, struts, gas springs, pneumatic\nsprings or other impact or energy-absorbing devices are not subject to the\nrequirements of this subchapter provided each:\n(i) Has a gas space capacity not exceeding 1.6 L and a charge pressure not exceeding\n280 bar, where the product of the capacity expressed in liters and charge pressure\nexpressed in bars does not exceed 80 (for example, 0.5 L gas space and 160 bar charge\npressure);\n(ii) Has a minimum burst pressure of 4 times the charge pressure at 20 °C for products\nnot exceeding 0.5 L gas space capacity and 5 times the charge pressure for products\ngreater than 0.5 L gas space capacity;\nKTM NORTH AMERICA, INC.\n1119 Milan Avenue / Amherst, OH 440DJ /: T: 440-985-3553 / F: 440-985-3060\n38429 Innovation Court /i Murrieta, CA 92563 1 1: 951-600-8007 1/ F: 951-600-8866\nwww.ktmusa.com\n\n<<>>\n\ncopy of the quality assurance program must be maintained at each facility at which the\naccumulators are manufactured.\nWe have attached documentation from WP Performance Systems, the manufacturer of the\nsuspension systems, which substantiates that the suspension systems fully comply with ICAO\nTechnical Instructions, Special Provision \"A114,\" and therefore with all the requirements of\n49 C.F.R. § 173.306(f(4) as well.\nThank you for your time and assistance in this matter. Please contact me should you require\nany additional information. We look forward to your response.\nSincerely,\nThe nit\nCheryl Webb\nDirectot of Legal Department\nT: 951-600-8007 x.4117\nKTM NORTH AMERICA, INC.\n38429 innovation Court\nMurrieta, CA 92563\nKTM NORTH AMERICA, INC.\n1119 Milan Avenue // Amhers!, OH 44001 # T: 440-985-3553 i F: 440-985-3060\n38429 Innovation Court // Murrieta, CA 92563:: T: 951-600-8007 1: F: 951-600-8866\nwww.ktmusa.com\n\n<<>>\n\nstalinoinerstraise 3\n5230 Mattighofen\nAustria\nMunderting, 18.06.2015\nDangerous Goods\nLadies and Gentleman!\nWP Performance Systems GmbH confirms that all pressurized forks and shocks containing nitrogen and air are\ntested with max. burst-pressure according to requirements of Intemational Air Transport Association, Accord\nEuropéen Relatif and International Maritime Dangerous Goods. These products do not have to be labelled as\ndangerous material, as they are subject to special provision IATA (A114), ADR (283), IMDG (283).\nMit freundlichen Grüßen,\n!\ndaf.\nMag. Hannes Haunschmid\nWP Performance Systenis CmbHi\n220 Winded pushi\nCosmissarnet foul B\ntax 143 (0) 1700/20240 91:0\nTell 001/4/320240 0\ningenicine Scarxassr 00\nkle Mr 32180078424\n92: 20320\nBAN AI2470320321000/-1924\nBIC. ASPKAI2_\nAttachment.\nPARTS OF YOUR SUCCESS,\n\n<<>>\n\nEXHIBIT B\n\n<<>>\n\n\n\n<<>>\n\n-taEN\n/3/2 ever wer\n12633222\nzie\ntep rale rot\nEoce ver Dator ur; 1- ke. Mirier\ne.2\n9 0..\n10-1 go(e) en\n3250.1.- 3.6.:\n$5. 5 0 1\np0.2% ir :\neChi DL DENNER\n9536-992\n\n<<>>\n\n\n\n<<>>\n\n8079 g\nTe lersetat (68602207S durch\nsithe Seite 1 / see pag\nSize ISO 14405-1\nformers and pestion to chr\nMatie Geraldargisel\nErsteller / Created by\nNanie S Wolfgruber\n14 06 2021\nGewcht / Mass\nDate\nL Leuning\nS.W oifgruber\nName\nKTM AGT.\nDate\n2021.09-22 |\nStotnofnerstrate 3\n3230 Nollisten\nZur D-Muster Fertigung\nfreigegeben\nFor D-SAMPLE production\nreleased\nPrufet/Approntd by\nfriede\n26 08 2021\n29.06.2021\nDate\nb(1x)\nind (Anz)\neG-Verantv.\nASM-Responsible\nSAE 4\n309mm\n950mm\nTellenummer /\npart.-no.\n3/1012N\n0144021?\n91410118\n92420113\n012015\nZugatula T:\nrebound:\n6x12x0,25\n6x11x0,30\n6x12x0,10\n6x14x0,10\n6x16x0,10\nT6x20x0,10\n6x12х0,10\nT6x20x0,10\n-0.1mm\nSek/\nModellbezeichnung / Model description\nKTM 450 SXF\nShims Kolben Zugstufe /\nshims piston rebound\nSTANDARD\nFederlänge mit Büchse /\nspring length with spacer.\n803w2\n435m09\n488 mm\n45S max\nDrudstife?:\ncompression\nRed cone 15 deg\n48900923\nSpring C=75Nm\n4861930\nS+S=15,8mm\nclosed+20-25l/min\nopen=45-50l/min\nWechselventil Hubhöhe/\nDi Viskositat /\noil viscosity\nFederweg/\nfork stroke\nGabellange /\ncheck vaive lift height\nforklength\nStk/ l\nOty\nFlow\nFlow\nFeder Bezeichnung/\nspring descripticn\n432.485.00.050W\n1.2085.00050\nPC\nN/mm\nZugstufe /\nrebound\n8x26x0,40\nA460C109W403200\n48601851)\n175\n0,4 mm\nGewich: Fahrer/\niders weisht\n321:.\n55 79 kg\n75-85 kg\n165-187 16\n85 75 3i2\n202222222\nShims Kolben Druckstufe /\nshims piston compression\nSETTINGLIST FORK\ncompression damping (clicks open or marking)\nDruckstufendämpfung (Klicks offen) /\nzugstufendämpfung (klicks offen)/\nrebound damping (clicks open or marking)\nPreload Adjuster (im Uhirzeigersinn) /\nDrucksufe/\ncompression.\n6x10x0,10\n6x22х0,10\n6x20х0,10\n6x18x0,10\nбх16x0,10\n6x14x0,10\n6x12x0,20\n6x14x0,20\n6x16x0,20\n6x18x0,15\n6x20х0,15\n6x22x0,15\n6x24x0,15\n6x26x0,15\npreload adjuster (clock wise)\nArtikelnummer/\nArticle number\nReservoir Federate /\nreservoir spring rate\nÖlmenge (Gabelholm) /\noil capacity (fork leg)\nOlmenge (Cartridge)/\noil capacity (cartridge)\nEinsteilung/\nadjustment\nWechselventil Hubhöhe/\ncheck valve lift height\nSTANDARD\nStk/\nQty:\nThis legend\nHusavarna®\nK\n\n<<>>\n\n+ A\n--932 04.2 +\nNn ax •\noue eg.wek.ir-iscs\nnasra ce 5004-292\nIot 30:\"\n• ba ANIS*\nacire isaitee:\n• ie eas te\n.de iar sa ate?\nSTUECKLISTE / BILL OF MATERIALS\naftr hijg nte\n•AAr SASe se -\ndagin tond. i7 4a1 sis\n(agg sAn:»a= Pesnel) tas\nARe DET P 13 30. 9900\ne, .areur \"rg\nв ve 0n - 1719\nutr sion) kait. emeir-\nas. 90s en\nMisate toeas kinro\nIsc hur-aale veo s9410\nBeetng Kruiste\nsee wn:\ndar toiLe Vi Loi\nhtse vicov\n200. 's)\n:ix..\n\n<<>>\n\nthat-lucks narrator. a\nceo eason 20 ester\nDeraser stare\ndoesar asl\nI see - roseS\nTig Husayama E maar\n\n<<>>\n\n\n\n<<>>\n\n3575 g\nPl.-Position definert (Serte 21\nPr. Modell aktualissert, Fartg\nWº2021 to natura:\nTe serane invention/\nSize ISO 14405-1\nFor want pasten to en\nErsteller/ Created by\nName L Leuning\nDate 07102020\nKTM AG Gewicht / Mass\n¿ Leuning\nSwolfgruber\nName\nDate\n2022-03-07\nZur D-Muster Fertigung\nfreigegeben\nFor D-SAMPLE production\nreleased\nPrufet/Approved sy T\nbotoad\n21.02 2022\n05.07.2021\nDate\nb 11x)\nInd. (Anz)\nASM-Responsible\n38 mm\n105 mm\n138,4mm\nTellenummer/\n9:2:0:33\n41.001\n91210133\n$1210132\nShims Nut /\nhimsnut\ndescription\nfut Maurpuone Nel\nnut assemblyno.\nQty.\nliftheight:\n..23N/mm\n16,3 mm\n110 N/mm\n42,5 mm\n50181325\nModellbezeichnung / Model description\nKTM 450 SXF\nDruckstufenventil Baugruppe Nr. /\ncompression damping valve assembly no.\nS01292000650000\nTXN Feder / TXN spring\nSTANDARD\n8 mm\nFederla nge mit Büchse /\nspring length with spacer\n240 mm\nRate /tate\nLänge + Spacer/\ntength espacer\nDetails Druckstufenventil /\ndetails compression unit\nBezelchaungl\ndescription\n6x12x0,20\n6x14x0,20\n6x16x0,20\n6x18x0,20\n6x20x0,20\n6x22x0,20\n6x17x0,10\n6x22x0,15\nRate / rate\nLange + Spacer /\nlength +spacer\nArtikeinummer/\nArticie number\nStatischer Durchhang/\nFeder/\nspring\nstatic SAG\nFahrtdurchhang /\nriding sAG\nfederweg/ i\nshock stroke\nFeder Bezeichnung/\norine darchotion\n1210022\n(62/65) 45-240\nPC\n8 bar\nSAE 25\n456,3mm\nDiptute /\nrebound.\n50181092\n12x23x0,30\n12x26x0,30\n2x28x0,30\n2x30x0,30\n12x32x0,30\n12x34x0,30\n12x35x0,30\n12x38x0,30\n12x24x0,10\n12x28x0.10\n12x38x0,20\nA460C409W411200\nGewicht Fahrer /\nriders weight.\n13 125:\n143307\n75-85 kg\n165-187 lb\nTruckstufendämpfungLow Speed (klicks offen baw, Markierung) /\nSETTINGLIST SHOCK\ncompressiondampinglowspeed (klicks open or marking)\nDruckstuferdampfung wigh Speed (Umdrehungen offen)/\nestulendämpfung Low Speed (Klicks offen bzw. Markierung)/\nugstufenda mpfung Mign Speed (Klicks offen biw. Markierung) /-\ncompressiondampinghigh speed (tums open)\nrebound dampinglow speed (clicks open or marking)\nebound dampinghigh speed (clicks openor.marking)\nhimcKolhon 1 !\nshimspiston 1\nDrucktuff\ncompression\n12x34x0,25\n12x22x0,25\n12x24x0,25\n12x26x0,25\n12x28x0,25\n12x 30x0,25\n12x32x0,25.\n12x34x0,25\n12x36x0,25\n12x38x0,25\n12x40x0,25\n12x42x0,25\n12x44x0,25\n12x36x0,10\n12x44x0,20\nArtikelnummer /\nArticle number\nfedervorspannung/\nUnstellung /\nadjustment\nspringpreload\nGasdruck/\nas pressure\nOf Viskositat/\nbil viscosity\nEnbsulange /\nshocklength\nSTANDARD\nay king of reproduction of this document\nASBAS\ntizan of this Column 25 well 25t\nP\nG\nHusqvarna\nMOTORCYCLES\ninformation in other languages is for intormation purposes only\nInformation in English or German must be observed -","truncated":false,"body_characters":18767}