FAA to Pilots: Fix That Wonky Life Raft Pin or Stay Grounded
Published Date: 9/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly Leonardo AW189 helicopters, listen up! The FAA wants you to check the life raft bottle assembly for a safety pin that might be in the wrong spot. Until you fix it, no long overwater flights allowed. Comments on this rule are open until November 13, 2026, so act fast to keep your flights safe and smooth.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Inspect and remove life-raft safety pin
If you operate a Leonardo AW189 helicopter, you must visually inspect the left-hand and right-hand sides of the life raft bottle assembly and, if the safety pin is installed on the cylinder valve, remove it. The FAA estimates the inspection and any necessary removal take 2 work-hours at $85 per hour for a $170 cost per helicopter, and estimates this AD would affect one U.S.-registered helicopter.
No extended overwater operations until fixed
Operators of Leonardo AW189 helicopters are prohibited from conducting extended overwater operations until the required inspection and any corrective actions (removing the safety pin) are completed. EASA’s material incorporated by reference permits a one-time overwater ferry flight solely to accomplish the inspection and corrective actions.
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