Textron Jets Toughen Up Lithium Battery Safeguards
Published Date: 3/18/2026
Rule
Summary
Textron’s MU-300-10, 400, and 400A airplanes are getting a safety upgrade with new rules for their rechargeable lithium battery systems powering emergency lights. These special conditions make sure the batteries meet tough safety standards that current rules don’t cover. The changes take effect March 18, 2026, and Textron plus anyone interested can send feedback by May 4, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Stricter Safety Rules for Lithium Batteries
Rechargeable lithium batteries used for emergency lighting on Textron MU-300-10, 400, and 400A airplanes must meet nine new safety requirements effective March 18, 2026. Requirements include maintaining safe cell temperatures and pressures, preventing thermal propagation, not emitting toxic or explosive gases, meeting Sec. 25.863 fire-protection rules, avoiding corrosive damage, preventing hazardous heat effects, providing failure sensing and charge-state warnings to the flightcrew, and automatic disconnects on over-temperature or failure.
New FAA Certification Rules for Textron Jets
Textron must meet new FAA special-conditions as part of the type certification for the MU-300-10, 400, and 400A airplanes starting March 18, 2026. These special conditions apply to emergency-lighting power supplies that use rechargeable lithium batteries and would also apply to any other model on the same type certificate later modified to use the same design feature.
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