Helicopter Escape Windows Stuck? FAA Demands Clean and Test Them Now
Published Date: 10/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly an Airbus H160-B helicopter, heads up! The FAA wants you to check and clean the jettisonable windows because some got stuck and wouldn’t open in emergencies. You’ll need to remove, clean, and test these windows soon to keep flying safe—comments on this plan are open until November 27, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Operators must remove, clean, and test H160-B windows
If you operate an Airbus H160-B helicopter, the FAA would require removing the jettisonable windows, cleaning the ropes of the jettisoning system, reinstalling the windows, and performing an operational test of the jettison systems in accordance with EASA AD 2026-0116. The FAA estimates the remove/clean/reinstall action costs $2,689 per helicopter (including $2,179 in parts) and the operational test costs $170 per helicopter, and states the proposed AD would affect 17 U.S.-registered H160-B helicopters (costs to U.S. operators shown as $45,713 and $2,890 respectively).
Fixes blocked jettison windows to improve evacuation
The rule targets a reported problem where white particles (fire-retardant residue) on the jettisoning rope prevented window jettisoning, which could reduce the ability to evacuate helicopter occupants in an emergency and cause injury. The FAA proposes the AD to require cleaning and operational tests to prevent the inability to jettison windows during an emergency.
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