Death rate (Fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours). Between 2006 and 2016, Robinson R44s alone were involved in 42 deadly helicopter crashes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) soon began investigating the R22 after a wave of crashes. What Else Does Robinson Helicopter Company Manufacture? In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. The company manufactures non-military helicopters used in applications such as police work, television news reporting, instrument flight training, radio traffic reporting, and emergency services. For more information about this AD, contact James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562) 627-5357; email 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. The R22 was introduced in 1979, and thanks to its low cost and easy maintenance, it quickly became a favorite at flight schools and with private owners. Robinson had 800 employees in 2000. You have to instruct them and tell them there are things you cant do.. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, it was determined that an additional model helicopter and additional blades are affected by the unsafe condition. developer tools pages. I mean, thats somebody just learning how to fly, said Kurt. documents in the last year, 24 Robinson began his engineering career working on the CH-1 Skyhook for Cessna Aircraft Company. Still, safety issues have dogged the Torrance manufacturer over its 45-year history, The Times found, and both the company and the FAA have been slow to address design features and operating characteristics that have caused or contributed to accidents. The FAA reviewed Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-108, dated June 30, 2021. I wanted to design a very simple with an emphasis on simple low-cost helicopter that could be produced efficiently and sold to the public at a price that many people could afford, Robinson said in his lecture. Some dubbed them "Swift Family Robinson.". Robinson Helicopter Company - ideamensch daily Federal Register on FederalRegister.gov will remain an unofficial In 1975, Robinson had a working prototype of the first model, the R22, which had been constructed in a tin hangar at the Torrance Airport in southern California. Robinson Helicopter is known for their commitment to R&D. You've disabled cookies in your web browser. (6) For helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this AD, as of the effective date of this AD, do not install a blade identified in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this AD, as applicable to your model helicopter, on any helicopter. Robinson Helicopters The R44 retains that title to this day, partly due to its being one of the cheapest helicopters on the market. should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. It was the second failure or partial failure in two months. Just two years later he took the two-seat, piston powered helicopter on its first flight with a mere 60 hours of flight experience behind him. documents in the last year, by the Energy Department 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 not an official legal edition of the Federal Its another thing, from an engineering standpoint, to say, How are you going to do this? This is not a simple thing to do.. to the courts under 44 U.S.C. On October 23, 2019, a Robinson R44 crashed after departing from the North Las Vegas Airport. Robinson said that doesnt matter, because the stiffer mounts have eliminated the problem: We knew how to solve it and we did.. Robinson founded the Robinson Helicopter Company out of his Palos Verdes home in 1973 and developed the first R22 prototype at the Torrance Airport. Whether the lightweight design of Robinson helicopters makes them dangerous has long been the subject of debate and litigation. Powered by a 160-horsepower Lycoming engine, the R22 had a fiberglass fuselage and sold for a base price of $40,000. (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. The R22's simple design, easy maintenance and low acquisition In 1957, he earned a BSME degree from the University of Washington and later attended graduate school at the University of Wichita. Robinson participates in NTSB investigations involving its helicopters and submits its findings to federal authorities. The NTSB blamed the November 2012 accident on his failure to clear the overhang. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. All of the service centers and dealers are independently owned and operated. The company had sales of $50 million in 1991, when it shipped a record 402 helicopters. The CAA determined through laboratory tests that the rotor blade had failed due to overload during the crash and was not the cause of the accident and the fleet was ungrounded on 24 February 2015. He really loved living here and weve been part of the community for over 40 years. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, two additional cracked blades were discovered; these blades also exhibited stress corrosion cracking, however they were not part of the lot of affected blades that are included in AD 2021-19-08. This PDF is 05/01/2023, 244 To maintain the highest quality standards, the company carries out most of the . documents in the last year, 494 This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail rotor blades (blades). Discovery of the incident was incorrectly described as a pilot feeling abnormal vibrations during flight. 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. [10], The R44 was found to be prone to post-accident fires due to damage to the aluminum fuel tanks, allowing fuel to leak out. Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Document page views are updated periodically throughout the day and are cumulative counts for this document. That image stuck with Robinson and drove the course of his career and life. This AD also requires removing all affected blades . https://robinsonheli.com/. It provides parts and accessories, helicopter and engine overhauls, helicopter repairs, and educational courses for pilots and maintenance technicians. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for They have recently released an autopilot for helicopters, as well as glass avionics. In the mid-1980s, Robinson began development on the four-seat piston-powered R44 helicopter, which hit the market in 1993 and eventually outsold the R22. Expert aviation consultants find this shocking, and they have been quoted saying they believe Robinson Helicopter Company engages in these shoddy record-keeping practices with the specific intent to divest itself of all records in an attempt to have plausible deniability related to responsibility.. Robinson was planning to establish a production line for this aircraft in Santa Maria until the city of Torrance offered the company a good rate on a lease of additional land.