FAA Orders Helicopter Window Ring Inspections for Safety
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 save money by preventing bigger problems later.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Inspect and Fix H160-B Jettison Windows
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B (as identified in EASA AD 2025-0161), you must inspect all hinge pins on the jettisonable window systems for missing retaining rings and install any missing retaining rings. The FAA proposes to require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0161 (dated July 29, 2025), because missing rings could prevent a window from jettisoning and affect evacuation during an emergency.
FAA Cost Estimates for Compliance
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 12 helicopters on the U.S. registry. Inspecting each helicopter is estimated at 2 work-hours × $85/hour = $170 per helicopter (covering 108 rings per helicopter in the inspection), and installing a missing retaining ring is estimated at $50 per ring.
No Mandatory Reporting to Manufacturer
Although EASA AD 2025-0161 asks operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, the FAA's proposed AD does not require submitting that information. Operators are therefore not required by this FAA AD to send inspection results to the manufacturer.
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Key Dates
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