In 2016, the government of New Zealand placed Robinson mast-bumping on its watch list of most serious transportation safety concerns, citing 14 fatal accidents over the previous 20 years. The company continued to grow in the late 1990s. Predictably, as Robinson continues to operate in this manner, tragedy continues to strike. In Robinsons, it has been catastrophic: Rotor systems break off or the blades cut into cockpits or tail booms, according to aviation experts and incident reports by U.S. and foreign accident investigators. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, General requirements. [4] Production in 2014 dropped to 329 aircraft. We intend to go on for many, many more years, so hes left a real legacy. This was the largest-scale grounding of any aircraft in New Zealand's history. The cracks were found at different inspection intervals ranging from preflight inspections to 100-hour inspections. He later worked on rotorcraft research for manufacturers including McCulloch Motor Company, Kaman Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, and, finally, Hughes Aircraft Company, which he joined in 1969. Wells, then 57, broke more than 60 bones and spent six weeks in a coma. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The Times reviewed all investigation reports issued since the new regulation took effect and identified 10 fatal Robinson crashes in which investigators saw signs of mast-bumping. NTSB investigators continue to find signs of mast bumping in Robinson wreckage. documents in the last year, 494 The company had sales of $50 million in 1991, when it shipped a record 402 helicopters. Register documents. Monday thru Friday. abnormal vibrations during flight; subsequent investigation determined that the blade was cracked. Privacy Policy, Brown, David A., "Piston-Powered R44 Offers Low-Cost Flight,", Del Valle, Christina, and Larry Armstrong, "33 Crashes: Design Flaw or Pilot Error? The R22 would eventually dominate the world helicopter trainer market. It produces a greater number of civil helicopters per year than any other manufacturer, and 80 percent of those made in the United States. A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. 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 Robinson Helicopter offers three main product lines: the two-seat R22, the four-seat R44, and its newest model -- the five-seat R66 Turbine. on This check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. Santa Maria's purportedly cumbersome licensing process helped seal that decision. The first R44 Newscopter featuring onboard electronic news gathering equipment was delivered in 1998. Many bore signs of mast-bumping, but exact causes could not be determined because there were no survivors or onboard data recorders. Robinson was also a major figures of the Torrance and Palos Verdes communities, and played an integral role in putting Torrance's aviation industry on the map. 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. publication in the future. He went on to work in engineering at the Cessna Aircraft Company, McCulloch Motor Company, Kaman Aircraft, Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopter Company. Robinson Helicopter Founder Frank Robinson Dies at 92 Robinson Helicopter Company | LinkedIn 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. Robinson Helicopter soon opened a plant at Torrance Airport. Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Its greater size also opened new possibilities in police work, agriculture, and fish spotting. [5], Robinson also produces the Robinson Helipad, a modular helipad designed for light helicopters.[6]. TORRANCE Aviation visionary and South Bay legend Frank Robinson has died at 92. leaving behind six children, a company of over 1,000 employees and a forever changed helicopter industry. All teetering rotor systems are susceptible to a phenomenon called mast-bumping, which occurs when the seesawing becomes so extreme that the hub or the inner ends of the rotor blades strike the mast. There are more than 400 dealers and service centers that are located throughout the world. 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.
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