CS 26.420 Flight over water emergency equipment
ED
Decision 2022/019/R
(a) Compliance with point 26.420(a)(1) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 27.1415(b)(2) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, or CS 29.1415(b)(2) of CS‑29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent respectively, or with the following:
Each life raft must be attached to the helicopter by a short retaining line to keep it alongside the helicopter and a long retaining line designed to keep it attached to the helicopter. Both retaining lines must be weak enough to break before submerging the empty life raft to which they are attached. The long retaining line must be of sufficient length that a drifting life raft will not be drawn towards any part of the helicopter that would pose a danger to the life raft itself or the persons on board.
(b) Compliance with point 26.420(b) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 27.1415(c) of CS-27 at Amendment 5, or later, or the equivalent, or CS 29.1415(c) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later or the equivalent respectively.
(c) Compliance with point 26.420(c) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 29.1415(b)(1) and CS 29.1561(a) and (c) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, or with the following:
(1) For life raft activation, the following must be provided for each life raft:
(i) primary activation: manual activation control(s), readily accessible to each pilot on the flight deck whilst seated;
(ii) secondary activation: activation control(s) accessible from the passenger cabin with the rotorcraft in the upright or capsized position; if any control is located within the cabin, it must be protected from inadvertent operation; and
(iii) tertiary activation: activation control(s) accessible to a person in the water, with the rotorcraft in any foreseeable floating attitude, including capsized.
It is acceptable for two of the manual activation functions from (i) to (iii) to be incorporated into one control.
(2) Automatic life raft activation is permitted (e.g. triggered by water immersion); however, this capability must be provided in addition to the required manual activation controls. Mitigation must be provided to address inadvertent deployment in flight and the potential for damage to the life raft from turning rotors during deployment on the water.
(3) Placards must be installed, of appropriate sizes, numbers and locations, to highlight the location of each of the above life raft activation controls. All reasonably foreseeable rotorcraft floating attitudes must be considered when locating these placards.
[Issue: 26/4]
EASA aviation regulations mandate specific emergency equipment for helicopters flying over water. Life rafts must have short and long retaining lines that break under strain. Multiple manual activation controls are required, accessible to pilots, passengers, and individuals in the water. Automatic activation is permitted but must supplement manual controls, preventing accidental deployment. Placards indicating activation controls are mandatory.
* Summary by Aviation.Bot - Always consult the original document for the most accurate information.
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