Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While cruising at FL450; and approximately 100 nm east from ZZZ; and after about an hour into the flight; our Flight Attendant came up to cockpit to inform us about a loud noise back in cabin. After confirming myself as the Flying Pilot; the Non Flying Pilot went back into the cabin to assess the situation. Upon returning to the cockpit; he explained to me that one of the life rafts had begun to inflate; and had broken through the cabinet which contains it. We requested from ATC to descend. ATC initially gave us FL240; and while descending; we and requested a divert to ZZZ; while stating to ATC what the nature of the situation was. We landed in ZZZ approximately 20 minutes later with no further incident.  Possibly a faulty valve on the raft.  Maintain periodic checks on life rafts.
In cruise flight at FL450; one hour into the flight; there was a very loud bang and the Flight Attendant rushed up front. There were several other loud popping sounds after the initial one. Went back to check and the forward right side life raft was trying to deploy in its compartment. The secondary sounds heard were of the cabinet breaking and coming away from the galley. I slid seat R1 forward to block the possibility of full deployment after advising the passengers and the cabin hostess to move to the most aft seats available in the aircraft. Everyone was briefed that we would need to be seated as far away from the issue and not to touch anything that might cause it to further inflate. Also advised them of a precautionary descent to a lower altitude and diversion plan to ZZZ.  PIC advised ATC asking for a flight level change down to 20;000 feet and a turn to ZZZ and we called for the equipment to be waiting. We continued down to 11;000 feet and planned for landing in ZZZ on Runway XX without further incident or injury. We deplaned the passengers and stayed with them in the FBO; until a plan could be formulated to take care of them. Unknown cause of un-commanded life raft inflation. Life raft inspections across the fleet possibly to make sure there aren't any other issues.
Challenger 350 flight crew reported a life raft inflated while at cruise and having to divert.