Navigate / EASA

CS 27.801  Ditching

ED Decision 2018/007/R

(a)     If certification with ditching provisions is requested by the applicant, the rotorcraft must meet the requirements of this CS and CS 27.563, CS 27.783(c), CS 27.805(c), CS 27.807(d), CS 27.1411, CS 27.1415, CS 27.1470, CS 27.1555(d) and CS 27.1561.

(b)     Each practicable design measure, compatible with the general characteristics of the rotorcraft, must be taken to minimise the probability that when ditching, the behaviour of the rotorcraft would cause immediate injury to the occupants or would make it impossible for them to escape.

(c)      An emergency flotation system that is stowed in a deflated condition during normal flight must:

(1)     be designed such that the effects of a water impact (i.e. crash) on the emergency flotation system are minimised;

(2)     have a means of automatic deployment following water entry.

(d)     The probable behaviour of the rotorcraft during ditching water entry must be shown to exhibit no unsafe characteristics.

(e)     The rotorcraft must be shown to resist capsize in the sea conditions selected by the applicant. The probability of capsizing in a 5-minute exposure to the sea conditions must be substantiated to be less than or equal to 3.0 % with a fully serviceable emergency flotation system and 30.0 % with the critical float compartment failed, with 95 % confidence.

Allowances must be made for probable structural damage and leakage.

(f)      Unless the effects of the collapse of external doors and windows are accounted for in the investigation of the probable behaviour of the rotorcraft during ditching (as prescribed in (d) and (e)), the external doors and windows must be designed to withstand the probable maximum local pressures.

[Amdt No: 27/5]