[5], Robinson also produces the Robinson Helipad, a modular helipad designed for light helicopters.[6]. on NARA's archives.gov. In early 1995, the NTSB asked the FAA to ground Robinson helicopters to allow for further research and testing. 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 You may examine the AD docket at Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format. should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official The company currently has over 1,000 employees in its Torrance headquarters. Since the issuance of 2021-19-08, the FAA received one comment from Robinson requesting that the FAA correct an inaccurate statement in the background section of the preamble text. These markup elements allow the user to see how the document follows the The R44 has been the world's best-selling general aviation (GA . Since delivering its first helicopter in 1979, Robinson Helicopter has produced over 12,000 aircraft. Working at Robinson Helicopter Company: 62 Reviews - Indeed 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. 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. The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable Without data, you are at a loss. The FAA reviewed Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin SB-119, and Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Service Bulletin SB-111, each dated February 23, 2022. He handled everything as an engineering problem and something to solve.". https://www.regulations.gov Helicopter Pioneer Frank Robinson Passes | Markets Insider You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser. Unique in the multi-tiered aerospace industry, Robinson builds most of its own components. 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 . From improper fuel-tank placement, to mast-bumping (where the helicopter blades see-saw to the point of hitting the aircraft), to mast-rocking (inexplicable, violent vibrations in the middle of the flight that cause a crash), the Robinson Helicopter Company has found itself under FAA scrutiny numerous times for the R44s fatal defects. These include, but are in not limited to, induction into the California Aviation Hall of Fame, induction into the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, a Lifetime Aviation Engineering Award from the Living Legends of Aviation, the Daniel Guggenheim Medal from the American Helicopter Society, and the Howard Hughes Memorial Award from the Southern California Aeronautic Association. Machinist (Former Employee) - Torrance, CA - November 10, 2020. documents in the last year, 9 As a result of the investigation, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority grounded all R44 helicopters that didnt have improved and upgraded fuel tanks as of the first of May 2013. "He really did have a true love of the industry. On the R44 the advancing blade is on the bottom. The compliance date was later moved to 30 April 2013. In September 1981, it began offering a more the powerful R22 HP for a base price of $59,850. Ladd Sanger, the Slack Davis Sanger aviation attorney was interviewed during this investigation. In contrast, the Bell Jet Ranger, a five-seat, turbine-powered helicopter, cost $600,000. Kurt Robinson is the current President and Chairman. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments. 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. Take the case of Jim Bechler, an Orange County attorney who had piloted Robinson helicopters for more than 30 years and bought a new R44 in 2008. Robinson founded the Robinson Helicopter company in 1973 where he defied the opinions of aviation leaders and opened a previously untapped market for private ownership through his signature R22, R44 and R66 model helicopters. Director of Civil Aviation Graeme Harris stated, "We don't want to see any complacency amongst operators as there is still a concern with these blades and we are waiting on test results from the USA before we review the Airworthiness notice. https://www.regulations.gov, Fax: Ten years later they introduced the R44 Raven II, which had an advanced engine, as well as an improved 28-volt electrical system. It is a glaring problem, but nobody wants to fix it.. His legacy was to develop a low-cost reliable helicopter, that was more affordable, that more people could own in order to expand the industry, said Kurt. It was like a train hitting a wall, said Paddi Faubion, who saw the Jan. 30 crash from her balcony in a gated Newport Beach neighborhood. At least 65 wrongful-death and product liability lawsuits have been filed across the country since then, accusing Robinson of concealing or willfully ignoring safety issues and dodging accountability allegations the company denies. Many of the lawsuits were resolved with confidential settlements. AD 2021-19-08 also requires removing all affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. The agency issued AD 2021-19-08 to address the unsafe condition on these products. Machinist (Former Employee) - Torrance, CA - November 10, 2020. Robinson Helicopter Company | Encyclopedia.com Upon his retirement, Frank Robinson was succeeded by his son, Kurt, who is the Chairman and President of the Robinson Helicopter Company. This repetition of headings to form internal navigation links by searching for and locating Docket No. documents in the last year, 295 This table of contents is a navigational tool, processed from the In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. documents in the last year, 153 are not part of the published document itself. Robinson said that doesnt matter, because the stiffer mounts have eliminated the problem: We knew how to solve it and we did.. Robinson Helicopter's Pilot Safety Course Provides the Groundwork for (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 Robinson R44 led all major models with the highest fatal accident rate from 2006 to 2016. It was first flown on 31 March 1990 and received FAA certification in December 1992, with the first delivery in February 1993. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. documents in the last year, 931 Adding the following new airworthiness directive: Robinson Helicopter Company: Revenues reached $23.5 million in 1988, when the company sold 204 units. Very productive in house fabrication and istallation. Were on our mission and we will keep going forward.. 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. documents in the last year, 84 The NTSB concluded that mast-rocking was the cause of Quists accident and took Robinson to task for not sounding alarms about the potential danger. "If you asked Frank who he is, the first thing he would tell you is he's an engineer," said Kurt. All data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally. This AD also requires removing all affected blades . As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. Frank Robinson told American Metal Market that $500,000 of this went towards computer-controlled machine tools. The R44 flailed briefly, dropped a few feet to the pavement and burst into flames. The first R44 Newscopter featuring onboard electronic news gathering equipment was delivered in 1998. [email protected]. Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked blades. Frank Robinson made large donations to two aviation history projects. More than 600 people have perished in Robinson crashes around the world since 1982. In early 2002, a Honda dealer in Santa Ana, California, began installing the first at his auto lot. Fuel consumption of 20 miles per gallon was claimed for the R22, which was also said to be the quietest chopper around. As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. [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. Its business model: mass-produce simple, low-cost helicopters and sell them to the civilian public at an affordable price. In 2018, a U.S. lawsuit accused the Robinson Helicopter Company of defective manufacturing after a mast-bumping event caused the in-flight breakup of an R66 helicopter.[12]. St. James Press, 2003. Classes started each day at 8 . Overtime sometimes on weekends. Mail: You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. Thats just amazing to me. The main problem with these fuel tanks is that in July of 2006, Robinson Helicopter Company released Safety Notice 40, which encouraged pilots and occupants to wear fireproof helmets, gloves, and suits. Scores of R44 pilots and passengers have been killed in preventable post-crash fires, or in helicopters that dropped from the sky when they suddenly lost lift. Robinson was among the first North American aerospace firms to be awarded ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design . A tail rotor stabilizes the aircraft. It is such a double-edged sword with this company, Akbari said. In July 2006, Robinson addressed the issue not by fortifying its tanks, but by trying to fireproof pilots and passengers. To learn more about the methodology and review the computer code 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. But theres also a limit. And if we branch out from the R44 model, the statistics are even worse. We see them around but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Robinson Helicopter Company, a prominent player in the civil helicopter industry, has an impressive list of achievements. Predictably, as Robinson continues to operate in this manner, tragedy continues to strike. Ours are being flown much, much more at the entry point of the market.. Its nose turret could be fitted with infrared sensors or a video camera. I just remember thinking, Who is going to die next? she said. abnormal vibrations during flight; subsequent investigation determined that the blade was cracked. A year later, it offered them as a voluntary retrofit for helicopters already in service at owners expense of about $6,800 for parts, plus labor. Robinson participates in NTSB investigations involving its helicopters and submits its findings to federal authorities. documents in the last year, 125 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. The company currently has over 1,000 employees in its Torrance headquarters. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations. (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. 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. We intend to go on for many, many more years, so hes left a real legacy. When I was 9 or 10 I saw a picture in the Seattle newspaper of Igor Sikorsky hovering in a VS-300 prototype, Robinson said in a 2010 lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in England. 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. Since the turn of the century, 165 people have been killed in the United States when they were involved in crashes with Robinson helicopters. A year after it was issued, four people burned to death in a low-impact crash in Washington state. Robinson began his engineering career working on the CH-1 Skyhook for Cessna Aircraft Company. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 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 He earned a degree in mechanical engineering and then spent 16 years working for aircraft manufacturers, including major helicopter makers Bell and Hughes. 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. In one instance, a cracked blade was suspected when the pilot felt In 2009, the company began to bolster its new R44 tanks with flexible bladders, which are puncture-resistant and designed to contain fuel in low-impact crashes. 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. [26], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, "2013 General Aviation Statistical Databook & 2014 Industry Outlook", General Aviation Manufacturers Association, "Robinson Introduces the Two-Place R44 Cadet", "Robinson Helicopter upbeat on diesel R&D with R44 Raven II", "Crash of helicopter on Catalina is fourth fatal accident of this model since April", "Lebanese Army Takes Delivery of Two More Robinsons", "PNP gets 3 Raven choppers for anti-crime operations", "Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe Przekazanie samolotw i migowcw szkoleniowych dla LPR", " " "" "", "South Africa Combats Crime with R44 Raven II Police Helicopters", "Down one search-and-rescue helicopter, Alaska State Troopers reorganize", "Uruguay suma helicpteros estadounidenses a la polica para reforzar la vigilancia", Collision with terrain involving Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-HWQ, Preliminary, Prohibition of FlightC016-7 Main Rotor Blades, "Australia, New Zealand Ground Some R-44s", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robinson_R44&oldid=1148577372, This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 01:19. At the same time, reports by the NTSB detail examples of experienced pilots who were killed in what the agency said should have been survivable accidents. The cause has yet to be determined, but the type of helicopter is well known to accident investigators: the Robinson R44. Federal aviation officials routinely use the data to calculate accident rates. Robinson Helicopter Company - Wikipedia The company delivered 390 new aircraft in 2000 and 328 in 2001, and has total sales exceeding $100 million annually. A float-equipped version, dubbed the Mariner, was introduced later in the year and was priced at $94,850. That translates to 1.6 deadly accidents per 100,000 hours flown a rate nearly 50% higher than any other of the dozen most common civilian models whose flight hours are tracked by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and prevent cracks in the affected blades. Robinson Helicopter Company of Torrance, California, is the world's leading producer of civil helicopters. You've disabled cookies in your web browser. A weak dollar was good for exports, which accounted for 80 percent of sales. The R44 retains that title to this day, partly due to its being one of the cheapest helicopters on the market. They havent figured it out, former NTSB chairman Christopher Hart told The Times late last year. Robinson began taking orders for the R44 in March 1992 at $235,000 for a fully equipped model. The R44 has been the world's best-selling general aviation (GA) helicopter every year since 1999. The new rules impact is unclear. Robinson died peacefully in his Rolling Hills home on Saturday, Nov. 12. Read more . 07/12/2022 at 8:45 am. The diesel could provide better altitude performance, a fuel burn reduced from 16 to 12USgal (61 to 45L) per hour and better fuel availability. The company is based in Torrance, California at Zamperini Field. [4] Production in 2014 dropped to 329 aircraft. He served as president of the Torrance-based company until he retired in 2010 at age 80 and passed the reins to his son Kurt Robinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Two years later, the American Helicopter Museum received another $1 million to purchase its building in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Both models dominated the competition . Go to Currently, the company only manufactures three different models of helicopters. Robinson is one of the first aviation companies in North America to achieve ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design, production and service. Airworthiness Directives; Robinson Helicopter Company Helicopters learn how over 7,000 companies got started! This means that the fuel system was likely at fault for the majority of these crashes. The first production R44 Astro was delivered in February 1993. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. It does not analyze its findings to determine accident causes. This R66 Turbine was finally certified in 2010 to the updated federal regulation amendments. Today, Robinson Helicopter Company are famous for producing some of the most popular helicopters ever. The FAA issued AD 2021-19-08, Amendment 39-21726 (86 FR 49915, September 7, 2021) (AD 2021-19-08), for Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with a blade part number (P/N) C029-3 with serial number (S/N) 9410 through 9909 inclusive, installed. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Frank Robinson, founder of Torrances Robinson Helicopter Company, dies at 92, Mourners concur at Mass for former Mayor Richard Riordan: He loved LA, Jerry Springer, politician-turned-TV ringmaster, dies at 79, Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman dies at 78, After devastating Northridge Earthquake, Richard Riordans response was a shining moment, Homecoming, burial set Monday for LA soldier among 9 killed in Kentucky chopper crash, California fire chief: Prepare now for height of fire season delayed by record precipitation, Gov. 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. The President of the United States communicates information on holidays, commemorations, special observances, trade, and policy through Proclamations. This was the largest-scale grounding of any aircraft in New Zealand's history. The FAA Is Under Pressure to Ground Robinson Helicopter,", Flint, Jerry, "The Bird Man of Torrance,", "Foreign Helicopter Giants Vie for Chinese Market,", "Frank Robinson Donates $1 Million to Helicopter Museum,", Jones, Sam L., "Robinson Maintains Its Niche for Piston-Powered 'Copters,", Lambert, Mark, "Civil Helicopters; 1984 Is the Year of Change,", ------, "Hard Times, But Some Hope for the Helicopter Men,", Lewis, Paul, "Annual Sales: Output Slumps as Economies Slow,", Morris, John, "Little Growth Forecast for Helicopter Deliveries,", Pae, Peter, "Flying High with Modest Venture; Robinson Becomes Top-Selling Maker of Civilian Copters by Sticking to Its Mom-and-Pop Origins,", Parke, Robert B., "FAA Limits Robinson Flight Operations,", Phillips, Edward H., "NTSB Urges FAA to Ground R22/R44 Helicopters,", ------, "Robinson, Federal Agencies at Odds Over R44, R22 Issues,", ------, "R22 Main Rotor Focus of NTSB Report,", "Robinson Helicopter: The Discipline of the Marketplace,", Sarsfield, Kate, "Hydraulic Controls Prove Big Hit for R44 Sales,", ------, "Order Surge Fuels Robinson's Plans for Expansion,", ------, "Robinson Considers New Engine for Popular R44,", Scott, William B., "Reliability, Low Operating Costs Key to Robinson R-44 Sales,", Smith, Bruce A., "Robinson Helicopter's R44 to Offer Greater Capacity, Speed Than R22,", Sweetman, Bill, "US Manufacturers Get Their House in Order,", Swertlow, Frank, "Choppers on the Cheap,", Vartabedian, Ralph, "Low-Cost Copter Builder Tops Sales of Big-Name Rivals,", ------, "Robinson Helicopters Taking Off,", Wastnage, Justin, "Upgraded Raven Goes on Sale,". FAA-2022-0872; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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. Having been produced since 1990, Robinson have produced over 6,500 R44s to date, making it the most . Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Another problem that Robinson Helicopter was involved in dealt with mast bumping. And two months before that, an R44 suddenly lost power and crashed on a golf course maintenance yard in Santa Barbara, seriously injuring the pilot and two passengers, a young couple on a sightseeing tour. No other make of helicopter is subject to such a regulation, according to the FAA. Robinson Helicopter Company is a manufacturer of helicopters. CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 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. In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. Recently, Robinson Helicopter released the R44 Cadet, this is a two-place R44 that has been specifically designed for training. Death rate (Fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours). include documents scheduled for later issues, at the request Robinson Helicopter Company - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Docket No. You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed. Send your comments to an address listed under He replaced his living room furniture with drafting tables, set up a workshop in the garage and farmed out parts fabrication to a business partner in Hawaii. The R22 and the R44 both use Lycoming piston engines, while the R66 uses a turbine engine. However, it was the military, beginning with the Korean War, which made the most use of helicopters. Piston-engined Helicopter Market 2023 Effective Growth - MarketWatch for better understanding how a document is structured but He built a prototype of the two-seat, piston-engine R22 in a hangar at nearby Torrance Airport, now home to the companys 600,000-square-foot factory. 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. I will tell you Ive never seen anybody hurt with that, he said. 05/01/2023, 39 Full benefits for employee and offered insurance for family. California Judge Outlaws Uber and Lyfts Attempt to Deny Employment Benefits to Drivers, Lawsuit Proceeds Against Lyft for Failure to Disclose Safety Issues, Another Robinson Helicopter Crash Demonstrates Why TKK Continues to Represent Victims of Robinson's Poor Design, $34 Billion Fitness Giant, Peloton, Loses its Weekslong Battle With Safety Regulators. The ATSB recommended that the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) take further action to urge R44 owners to fit bladder-type tanks. Robinson brought out a special police-oriented variant of the R44 in mid-1997. Not the president of Robinson Helicopter, not the founder, he was an engineer. Robinson ' s two-seat R22 and four-seat R44 helicopters offer public and private . Worldwide, there have been 512 deaths since 1982 with a total of 291 Robinson crashes. Kurt Robinson dismissed such criticism and said victims lawyers often are merely seeking big payouts. Finally, this proposed AD would revise the applicability by adding blades with P/N C029-3 with S/N 9910 through 10659 inclusive to the applicability for Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters and would also expand the applicability by adding Robinson Model R66 helicopters with blade P/N F-029-1 with S/N 2410 through 2589 inclusive installed. documents in the last year, 1407 Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc. Economic Sanctions & Foreign Assets Control, Smoking Cessation and Related Indications, Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements, Authority To Order the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty To Address International Drug Trafficking, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs), https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-14830, MODS: Government Publishing Office metadata.