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. documents in the last year, 84 Robinson continued to improve its products. Employment would soon pass 400 workers. Production fell from 390 aircraft in 2000 to 328 in 2001; Robinson still out-produced Eurocopter, its closest volume rival, which saw output rise fifteen percent to 280 units. (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. They continue to offer new technology and to make improvements on their past helicopters. I mean, that's somebody just learning how to fly," said Kurt. A tail rotor stabilizes the aircraft. publication in the future. This site displays a prototype of a Web 2.0 version of the daily Predictably, as Robinson continues to operate in this manner, tragedy continues to strike. The warning was deemed impractical by many pilots and widely ignored. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation: (1) Is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and. But cheap mass-production comes at a cost. Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 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 The Robinson R44 is a four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company since 1992. Attorney Tim Tomasik is a national leader in litigation involving mass disasters and transportation injuries. on FederalRegister.gov 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. Send your comments to an address listed under The FAA rejected that claim. Seconds later, the helicopter tore through the treetops and slammed into a house, killing his passenger, Charles Farmer, a 59-year-old co-worker. Robinson was also a visionary and a veritable aviation rock star, who racked up accolades over the course of his five-decade career. electronic version on GPOs govinfo.gov. Federal eRulemaking Portal: [6], In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted by Jennifer Murray for the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world by a woman, covering a distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days. Worldwide, there have been 512 deaths since 1982 with a total of 291 Robinson crashes. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. The four-seat helicopter had barely lifted off from John Wayne Airport when it nosed down, clipped two houses and slammed into a third, killing the pilot and two of his three passengers. Powered by a 160-horsepower Lycoming engine, the R22 had a fiberglass fuselage and sold for a base price of $40,000. Tragically, those who were in the helicopter now fall among the nearly 600 people that have died in Robinson helicopter crashes since 1982. Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. We intend to go on for many, many more years, so hes left a real legacy. In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. documents in the last year, 669 Robinson Helicopter Company is the leading manufacturer of light piston-engine helicopters. AD 2021-19-08 also requires removing all affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. You've disabled cookies in your web browser. This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). (3) Robinson Model R66 helicopters with a blade P/N F029-1 with S/N 2410 through 2589 inclusive, installed. Like other manufacturers, Robinson had an eye on the emerging Chinese market, which was expected to field 2,000 helicopters by 2010. Helicopter manufacturer in the United States, New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission, "Robinson Helicopter celebrating 50 years", "Robinson Boosts Production as Sales Surge, Strikes Deal for 1,000 Rolls-Royce Turboshafts", "Robinson Tri-Hinge Rotor Head R22 Helicopter", "Final Report, Aviation Inquiry AO-2014-006, Robinson R44 II, ZK-HBQ, mast-bump and in-flight break-up, Kahurangi National Park, 7 October 2014", "TAIC publishes interim report on July 2018 fatal Robinson R44 helicopter accident over Lake Wanaka", "Danger spins from the sky: The Robinson R44, the world's best-selling civilian helicopter, has a long history of deadly crashes", "Robinson helicopters: mast bumping accidents in NZ", "Lawsuit Claims Robinson Defects Caused Fatal 2016 Crash in Arizona", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robinson_Helicopter_Company&oldid=1143572045, Helicopter manufacturers of the United States, Manufacturing companies based in Greater Los Angeles, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 March 2023, at 15:44. These markup elements allow the user to see how the document follows the documents in the last year, 1407 In 2013, Robinson was the global market leader, selling 523 light helicopters, a 1% increase from 2012. 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. "Frank could do it all," Kurt Robinson said . On October 23, 2019, a Robinson R44 crashed after departing from the North Las Vegas Airport. 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). All data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally. America's deadliest helicopters. This AD replaces AD 2021-19-08, Amendment 39-21726 (86 FR 49915, September 7, 2021) (AD 2021-19-08). Radio stations, which used helicopters to report on traffic conditions, were another important early market. Relevant information about this document from Regulations.gov provides additional context. After making eight aircraft in 1979, Robinson produced 78 units in 1980 and 176 the next year. Mast bumping is a dangerous condition helicopters can encounter when load on the helicopter's rotor assembly is temporarily reduced during flight (for example, during a low-g maneuver or turbulent weather). In 2010, the company once again expanded its line with the five-seat turbine-powered R66 helicopter. Tail rotor direction of rotation on the R44 is reversed compared to the R22 for improved yaw control authority. On the R44 the advancing blade is on the bottom. The R22 received its hard-fought FAA approval in 1979 and went on to become the most popular civilian helicopter worldwide. Robinson participates in NTSB investigations involving its helicopters and submits its findings to federal authorities. Its business model: mass-produce simple, low-cost helicopters and sell them to the civilian public at an affordable price. It does not analyze its findings to determine accident causes. Instead of sharing the report with pilots, owners or the FAA, the company argued in legal proceedings that it contained proprietary information. Robinson had 310 employees at the time. Robinson Helicopter Company says the R66 and R44 are its top-selling models. Both models dominated the competition and became the best-selling civilian helicopters of their time. It produces a greater number of civil helicopters per year than any other manufacturer, and 80 percent of those made in the United States. FAA-2022-0872; Project Identifier AD-2022-00431-R at the beginning of your comments. NTSB investigators continue to find signs of mast bumping in Robinson wreckage. The official Robinson Helicopter Company Facebook page. Robinson Helicopter soon opened a plant at Torrance Airport. Robinson was also a visionary and a veritable aviation rock star, who racked up accolades over the course of his five-decade career. that agencies use to create their documents. It would take four years to gain FAA certification. 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. A Proposed Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 07/13/2022. 49 U.S.C. You may examine the AD docket at Aviation consultant William Lawrence, a retired Marine Corps colonel and helicopter test pilot and instructor who has testified as a paid expert against Robinson Helicopter Co. in a dozen lawsuits, contends the company willfully ignores safety issues to avoid liability. 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. To maintain the highest quality standards, the company carries out most of the . The R22 and the R44 both use Lycoming piston engines, while the R66 uses a turbine engine. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Classes started each day at 8 . 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. [5], Robinson also produces the Robinson Helipad, a modular helipad designed for light helicopters.[6]. You are shooting in the dark.. For continued operation until the affected blades are replaced, the service bulletin specifies a preflight inspection to be performed by the pilot. Ours are being flown much, much more at the entry point of the market.. The agency issued AD 2021-19-08 to address the unsafe condition on these products. Its business model: mass-produce simple, low-cost helicopters and sell them to the civilian public at an affordable price. 106(g), 40113, 44701. a. "If you asked Frank who he is, the first thing he would tell you is he's an engineer," said Kurt. Robinson had also looked at locations in the South and Midwest. Nov. 13TORRANCE 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. of the issuing agency. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. Two early R22's were in fatal accidents, however, leading to a redesign of rotor blades. AD 2021-19-08 requires checking each blade for any crack and removing any cracked blade from service. You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: 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 has included all known costs in its cost estimate. Ladd Sanger, the Slack Davis Sanger aviation attorney was interviewed during this investigation. Based on the company's two-seat Robinson R22, the R44 features hydraulically assisted flight controls.It was first flown on 31 March 1990 and received FAA certification in December 1992, with the first delivery in February 1993.. Docket No. R66 Turbine Marine. Go to The week-long course covers maintenance on all three RHC airframes the piston-powered two-place R-22 and four-place R-44, and the turbine-powered five-place R-66. (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. 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? He also argued that the vast majority of Robinson accidents are the fault of pilots not the machine and that many are students or hobbyists with little time at the controls. Recently, Robinson Helicopter released the R44 Cadet, this is a two-place R44 that has been specifically designed for training. 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. 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. You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed. 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. The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Developed from the R22, the R44 made its debut in 1993 and is now the companys most popular model, largely because it can carry more passengers. Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts. He was captivated with helicopters and really wanted to develop that as a personal transport and the rest is history, said Kurt. A year after it was issued, four people burned to death in a low-impact crash in Washington state. Robinson was born in Carbonado, Washington in 1930. Robinson helicopters Inc. Is a great work force. Robinson R44s were involved in 42 fatal crashes in the U.S. from 2006 to 2016, more than any other civilian helicopter, according to a Times analysis of National Transportation Safety Board accident reports. (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. Whether the lightweight design of Robinson helicopters makes them dangerous has long been the subject of debate and litigation. He sued Robinson, which disputed that mast-rocking caused his crash. 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 agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD. Very productive in house fabrication and istallation. Federal Register provide legal notice to the public and judicial notice 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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. Robinson is one of the first aviation companies in North America to achieve ISO 9001 certification for helicopter design, production and service. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: This AD was prompted by reports of cracked blades. 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 condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced controllability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Fuel consumption of 20 miles per gallon was claimed for the R22, which was also said to be the quietest chopper around. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, General requirements. james.guo@faa.gov. [11] The TAIC report noted "Helicopters with semirigid, two-bladed main rotor systems, as used on Robinson helicopters, are particularly susceptible to mast bumping in "low-G" conditions". People who like adventure are attracted to our products, he said. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments. Then on June 29, 1992, near Richmond, Calif., another R22 broke up, killing the pilot and his flight student. 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. ", Visit Daily Breeze, Torrance, Calif. at https://www.dailybreeze.com/. [4] Production in 2014 dropped to 329 aircraft. It is one of the most-produced GA aircraft of the 21st century, with 5,941 deliveries from 2001 to 2020.[1][2]. This was the largest-scale grounding of any aircraft in New Zealand's history. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. documents in the last year, by the Food and Drug Administration 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. All of the service centers and dealers are independently owned and operated. 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 safety board has not determined causes for those accidents, which remain under investigation. regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of 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. Clara covers LAUSD for the LA Daily News in addition to writing about housing policy, homelessness and mental health. Russia was another important new territory. These can be useful This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. It provides parts and accessories, helicopter and engine overhauls, helicopter repairs, and educational courses for pilots and maintenance technicians. This information is not part of the official Federal Register document. R44 Raven II. St. James Press, 2003. 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. Aviation was in his blood.". to the courts under 44 U.S.C. I just remember thinking, Who is going to die next? she said. [1][2] Robinson helicopter will celebrate 50 years in business in June 2023.[3]. Mail: I was very happy when they emerged alive, said golfer Kevin Keating, who saw the R44 fall from the sky. corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. To date it has delivered more than13,000 helicopters and shows no sign of stopping. These tools are designed to help you understand the official document I believe RHC divests itself of all records in an attempt to have plausible deniability related to responsibility.. Crashes of Robinson helicopters have killed 176 people to date. It was so popular that he went on to build a specialized newscopter version as well as a police helicopter. The company continued to grow in the late 1990s. 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. As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. 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. "We're on our mission and we will keep going forward. They have recently released an autopilot for helicopters, as well as glass avionics. 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. In contrast, the Bell Jet Ranger, a five-seat, turbine-powered helicopter, cost $600,000.
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