Navigate / EASA

26.415 Underwater emergency exits

Regulation (EU) 2022/1254

(a) Operators of small helicopters and large helicopters that are required, in accordance with point CAT.IDE.H.320(a) of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, to be designed for landing on water or certified for ditching, shall ensure that:

(1) it is possible for occupants to easily identify the means to operate all the underwater emergency exits to facilitate egress in the case of ditching or capsize;

(2) an underwater emergency exit is available on each side of the helicopter for each unit, (or part of a unit, of four passenger seats unless the emergency underwater exit is large enough to permit the simultaneous egress of two passengers;

(3) passenger seats are located in relation to the underwater emergency exits referred to in point (2) in such a way as to facilitate the escape of passengers in the event of the helicopter capsizing and the cabin becoming flooded.

(b) Operators of small category A helicopters and large helicopters that are required, in accordance with point CAT.IDE.H.320(a) of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, to be designed for landing on water or certified for ditching, shall ensure that:

(1) all emergency exits, including flight crew emergency exits, and any door, window or other opening suitable to be used for the purpose of underwater escape, remain operable in an emergency;

(2) an automatic means is provided to easily identify the periphery of the apertures of all underwater emergency exits in all lighting conditions; such markings must be designed to remain visible in case the helicopter is capsized or the cabin is submerged.