Robinson helicopters Inc. Is a great work force. abnormal vibrations during flight; subsequent investigation determined that the blade was cracked. The prevailing opinion, at the time, was that helicopter market was for the military only. In the United States, Robinson was behind an initiative to place lightweight helipads atop business buildings and in industrial parks. In July 2002, Robinson introduced the Raven II featuring a more powerful, fuel-injected engine and wider blades, allowing a higher gross weight and improved altitude performance. 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. The company protested the watch-list designation and said mast-bumping accidents are entirely avoidable when pilots use good judgment and follow operating procedures. It is also a popular choice for law enforcement agencies. The FAA reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-108, dated June 30, 2021. establishing the XML-based Federal Register as an ACFR-sanctioned If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. 49 U.S.C. Robinson was also a visionary and a veritable aviation rock star, who racked up accolades over the course of his five-decade career. Federal Register. Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters Robinson Helicopter - Aero Corner Replacing a blade would take about 3.5 work-hours and parts would cost about $3,320 for an estimated cost of $3,618 per blade and up to $3,125,952 for the U.S. fleet. This AD also requires removing all affected blades . They put people in the air who otherwise would not be able to afford to fly helicopters or buy helicopters, said Ilyas Akbari, a Los Angeles aviation attorney whose firm has brought about a dozen lawsuits alleging that design defects make Robinsons unforgiving of pilot mistakes and inherently unsafe. The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-19-08, which applies to certain Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. These new affected blades are from a batch of blades manufactured from a separate lot of material, and testing determined that they are also susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and can be installed on Robinson Model R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) soon began investigating the R22 after a wave of crashes. The prevailing opinion, at the time, was that helicopter market was for the military only. People who like adventure are attracted to our products, he said. AD 2021-19-08 also requires removing all affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. Document page views are updated periodically throughout the day and are cumulative counts for this document. He went on to work in engineering at the Cessna Aircraft Company, McCulloch Motor Company, Kaman Aircraft, Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopter Company. (4) For helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this AD, within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, remove from service any blade identified in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this AD, as applicable to your model helicopter. The NTSB blamed the accident on an undetermined event and launched an extensive review of fatal Robinson crashes 31 in the R22 and three in the then-fledgling R44. All of the service centers and dealers are independently owned and operated. That is an average of 1.6 deadly crashes per 100,000 hours flown, a rate nearly 50% higher than that of the other dozen most common civilian models. informational resource until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Against the advice of colleagues, Robinson struck out on his own in June 1973. Frank Robinson's dream of a small, low-cost helicopter convinced him to resign from the Hughes Helicopter Company in 1973 and found the Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC). During this time, the R44--more versatile with its four seats--became the world's top-selling helicopter. AD 2021-19-08 was prompted by reports of spanwise cracks found along the leading edge of P/N C029-3 blades, S/N 9410 through 9909. (5) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, as of September 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-19-08), do not install a blade identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD on any helicopter. AD 2021-19-08 requires checking each tail rotor blade (blade) for any crack and removing any cracked blade from service. We look at every accident trying to rack our brains out and say what improvements can we make to the helicopter, what things can we tell pilots through safety notices that will enhance safety for them, he said. I just remember thinking, Who is going to die next? she said. "Frank could do it all," Kurt Robinson said . You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser. On key safety issues dogging the R44, the FAA has taken a more hands-off approach than its foreign counterparts. The R44 was then released in 1992, featuring a more powerful engine, but the same great design philosophy as the R22. that generated this analysis, visit github.com/datadesk/helicopter-accident-analysis. There was an overall downturn in the U.S. helicopter industry due to a strong dollar, a recession, and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In each model, Robinson played an integral role in the engineering and development. Robinson Helicopter Company Russian Helicopters, JSC Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Table of content for the HelicopterMarket includes: Global HelicopterMarket: Research Methodology . james.guo@faa.gov. The ATSB recommended that the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) take further action to urge R44 owners to fit bladder-type tanks. Its been a really good partnership, said Kurt. Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) - Helipoland.com NTSB investigators continue to find signs of mast bumping in Robinson wreckage. 51. offers a preview of documents scheduled to appear in the next day's For continued operation until the affected blades are replaced, the service bulletin specifies a preflight inspection to be performed by the pilot. developer tools pages. It doesnt even keep track of statistical data to address recurring problems or determine the numbers of people who have been injured or killed. Even using the companys estimated flight hours nearly 40% more than the FAAs the R44 still had the highest rate at 1.17 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours. Instead of sharing the report with pilots, owners or the FAA, the company argued in legal proceedings that it contained proprietary information. (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Several government agencies there have since banned the use of Robinsons by their employees. Robinson continued to improve its products. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. Robinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, whose vision was to produce the world's highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Global key piston-engined helicopter manufacturers include Robinson Helicopter Company Hlicoptres Guimbal, Enstrom Helicopter Corp. etc. 05/01/2023, 858 and services, go to From a numbers standpoint, it worked. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 432 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by August 29, 2022. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. How The Robinson R66 Became The Most Popular Dangerous Helicopter Robinson Helicopter is known for their commitment to R&D. 07/12/2022 at 8:45 am. The NTSB ruled the crash was caused by the pilots failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm, for undetermined reasons. Wells contends the accident was not his fault and might have been averted if Robinson had divulged what it had known for 16 years about a phenomenon known as mast-rocking, or chug. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced controllability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This service information specifies inspecting the sensor wiring, installing a governor wiring kit, and accomplishing the starting engine and run-up checklist to verify proper . As a result, not all operators are familiar with the phenomenon, as the accident operator was not, the agency noted. The Model R22 Alpha, with increased gross weight, was rolled out two years later. America's deadliest helicopters. Only official editions of the This AD applies to the following Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) helicopters, certificated in any category: (1) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a tail rotor blade (blade) part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number (S/N) 9410 through 9909 inclusive, installed; (2) Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a blade P/N C029-3 with S/N 9910 through 10659 inclusive, installed; and. [19], An accident investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in March 2013 found, after analyzing historical data, that a significantly higher proportion of R44 aircraft (12%) caught fire after crashing, compared to accidents involving other types of piston-engine helicopters (7%). The President of the United States issues other types of documents, including but not limited to; memoranda, notices, determinations, letters, messages, and orders. Larry Wells, a pilot for the FAA, was practicing hovering, landing and liftoff maneuvers near Jackson, Miss., on Sept. 1, 2009, when his Robinson R44 began to shudder violently. He said the company keeps accident reports and other records for only as long as the FAA requires us to and that throwing them away does not impede its commitment to safety. However, it was the military, beginning with the Korean War, which made the most use of helicopters. Thats just amazing to me. All rights reserved. In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. documents in the last year, by the Food and Drug Administration documents in the last year, 295 Learn more here. I look at that today and I just say 'oh my god'. Driven by foreign sales, production was soon returning to normal. To reduce the risk of injury in a post-crash fire, it is strongly recommended that a fire-retardant Nomex flight suit, gloves and hood or helmet be worn by all occupants, said Robinson Safety Notice 40. Robinson produces three models the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, both of which use Lycoming piston engines, and the five-seat R66, which uses a turbine engine. This PDF is It is such a double-edged sword with this company, Akbari said. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments. In July 2015, a federal jury in Mississippi awarded Wells $2.8 million for his injuries and economic damages, along with $700,000 to Farmers widow. None were wearing fire-resistant gear. That image stuck with Robinson and drove the course of his career and life. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. by searching for and locating Docket No. It is the worlds best-selling civilian helicopter, a top choice among flight schools, sightseeing companies, police departments and recreational pilots. This is when load on the rotor assembly is reduced during flight, resulting in flapping of the rotor blades. R44 Cadet with Floats. Frank Robinson, founder of Torrance's Robinson Helicopter Company, dies Design work on his new lightweight helicopter consumed the living room and garage of Robinson's Palos Verdes residence, which was itself mortgaged to finance the aircraft's development. Register documents. Kurt Robinson rejected any link between mast-bumping and design. Robinson moved to a new 260,000-square-foot plant in July 1994. Minutes later, as the helicopter lifted off with 40 gallons of fuel in its tanks, its rotor blades clipped a metal canopy over the fuel island. It is one of the most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century, with 5,941 deliveries from 2001 to 2020.[1][2]. learn how over 7,000 companies got started! Death rate (Fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours). Robinson had projected sales of 500 units a year by 1982, reported American Metal Markets, but did not meet the figure due to a recession. 2022-14830 Filed 7-12-22; 8:45 am], updated on 4:15 PM on Monday, May 1, 2023, updated on 8:45 AM on Monday, May 1, 2023. The helicopter that crashed in Newport Beach in January, killing the pilot and two passengers, was operated by a flight school and touring company and was headed to Catalina Island. Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. But cheap mass-production comes at a cost. This proposed AD would also require, within three months after the effective date of AD 2021-19-08 or within six months after the effective date of this AD, as applicable, removing all affected blades from service.