FAA Orders Helicopter Owners to Hunt Missing Window Rings
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B owners to check their jettisonable windows for missing retaining rings on hinge pins. If any rings are missing, they must be installed to keep the helicopter safe. Comments on this plan are open until May 28, 2026, and fixing this issue could cost some time and money but keeps everyone flying safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory H160-B Window Inspection
If you own or operate an Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B (those delivered before May 1, 2025 as identified in EASA AD 2025-0161), the FAA proposes you must inspect all hinge pins on the jettisonable window systems for missing retaining rings. The FAA estimates the inspection takes 2 work-hours at $85/hour, costing $170 per helicopter, and the proposed rule would affect 12 U.S.-registered H160-B helicopters.
Cost to Install Missing Retaining Rings
If the inspection finds missing retaining rings on jettisonable window hinge pins, you must install retaining rings at those positions. The FAA estimates installing a retaining ring costs $50 per ring (with a minimal amount of time), but it did not determine how many rings or helicopters will require installation.
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Key Dates
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