FAA Orders Swivel Fix for Airplane Medical Seats by May 2026
Published Date: 4/24/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is fixing a safety problem with certain B/E Aerospace Fischer medical seats used in airplanes. Some seats have the wrong swivel part, so they must be updated and re-labeled by May 11, 2026. Airlines and maintenance teams need to act fast to keep passengers safe, but the update won’t break the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Affected seats cannot be occupied forward-facing
Until you modify the swivel unit or reidentify the seat, the AD requires that an affected medical seat not be occupied in the forward-facing configuration; special flight permits may be issued to move aircraft only if the affected seat is not occupied forward-facing. This requirement is effective May 11, 2026 and applies to the 59 seats identified in the AD.
Operators must placard or modify 59 seats
If you operate helicopters with the listed B/E Aerospace Fischer Medical Seat 230/305 serial numbers, you must either install a "Do not occupy" placard or modify and reidentify the swivel unit before further flight after May 11, 2026. The FAA says this AD affects 59 seats and gives estimated costs: placarding is 1 work-hour ($85) per seat (total on U.S. operators shown as $5,015) and modification shows labor plus parts with a U.S. operators total shown as $6,490.
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