FAA Demands Better Labels on Chopper Doors to Avoid Exit Mix-Ups
Published Date: 4/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make certain Airbus Helicopters safer by adding extra safety labels to the sliding door emergency exits because the current instructions aren’t clear enough. This affects many popular models like the AS350 and EC130 series. Helicopter owners and operators should get ready to comment by June 1, 2026, and expect some small costs to update their helicopters.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Must add sliding-door safety labels
If you own or operate one of the listed Airbus Helicopters (for example AS350 series, AS355 series, EC120B, EC130B4), the FAA proposes you must install additional safety labels on the sliding door emergency exits. The FAA estimates the rule would affect 1,213 U.S.-registered helicopters and cost $190 per helicopter (1 work-hour at $85 plus $105 parts), about $230,470 total.
FAA drops EASA reporting requirement
The EASA AD referenced in the proposal asks operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, but the FAA's proposed AD explicitly does not require that reporting. That means U.S. operators would not have to send the information to the manufacturer as part of complying with this FAA AD.
AS350BB model not covered by FAA AD
The EASA AD includes the Airbus Helicopters Model AS350BB, but this FAA proposed AD does not apply to the AS350BB because that model does not have an FAA type certificate. If you operate an AS350BB in the U.S., you are not subject to this FAA AD.
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