EASA SIB SAIB-2026-03: Emergency Equipment, Orion Safety Products Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signal

What to do

Owners and operators should follow the urgent recall and product quarantine instructions from Orion Safety Products as soon as practical but no later than the next scheduled maintenance interval for survival equipment. They should replace any damaged survival kits, liferafts, or escape slide/raft assemblies with serviceable units. Any incidents of inadvertent ignition must be reported to the FAA at OperationalSafety@faa.gov with detailed information referencing SAIB 2026-03.

Summary

The Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SAIB 2026-03 addresses reports of inadvertent ignition of Orion Safety Products Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signals without removal of the safety cap or pulling the ignition cord. These aerial signals are used in various aircraft survival kits, liferafts, and emergency escape slide/raft assemblies. The FAA is investigating the issue but has not identified an unsafe condition warranting an airworthiness directive at this time.

What changed

SAIB 2026-03 introduces awareness of a safety concern involving the Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signals that may ignite unexpectedly. It communicates the recall and product quarantine issued by Orion Safety Products for specific product numbers and manufacture/expiration dates. The bulletin also references related safety alerts from the U.S. Coast Guard and FAA Safety Team notices.

Why it matters

This bulletin is important for aviation operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams because the affected aerial signals are installed in survival equipment critical for emergency situations. Inadvertent ignition could damage survival equipment and compromise safety during an emergency. Awareness and compliance with recall instructions help maintain operational safety and regulatory compliance.