CS 26.431 Determination of the robustness of emergency flotation system designs

Compliance with point 26.431 is demonstrated by carrying out an assessment in accordance with CS 27.801(c)(1) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or equivalent, or CS 29.801(c)(1) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or equivalent respectively, or with the following:

(a)An evaluation of the functionality of the emergency flotation system in the event of a water impact that determines and takes into consideration the effects on the successful deployment and retention of the system as a result of possible damage from a water impact.

(b)The design of the emergency flotation system must, as far as is practicable, in terms of complexity of design changes and any associated weight penalty:

(1)have system components that are located away from the major effects of structural deformation;

(2)maximise the use of flexible pipes/hoses;

(3)avoid passing pipes/hoses or electrical wires through bulkheads that could act as ‘guillotines’ when the structure is subject to water impact loads; and

(4)for large helicopters and small Category A helicopters certified with ditching provisions, include redundant or distributed systems.

(c)The evaluation must be documented and subsequently provided to the Agency. Design changes that are identified by the type certificate holder of the helicopter or the supplemental type certificate holder of the emergency flotation system as providing an improvement in the likelihood of a successful deployment and retention of the emergency flotation system following a water impact must be specified in this evaluation. Suitable justification for not incorporating a design change in the design must be provided. A schedule for the incorporation of any design changes must also be provided to the Agency. The evaluation is subject to review and agreement by the Agency.

[Issue: 26/4]