21-Jan-13 ZK-HIY Robinson R22B Karamea, New Zealand
21-Jan-13
Helicopter experienced unusual vibrations while flying at 4500ft. Pilot decided to make a precautionary landing but the tail struck the ground during landing and helicopter rolled over.
19-Jan-13 VH-HGI Robinson R22 Batchelor, Australia
19-Jan-13
During the final approach, the pilot conducted a missed approach. The pilot subsequently lost control and the helicopter collided with the ground.
Jerry Trimble Helicopters opens in Texas
Source: Smithville Times, 18-Jan-13
From the company being founded in Oregon in 2007, and expanding into California, Jerry Trimble Helicopters has now opened at Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport in Texas (see full story)
17-Jan-13 N26NE Robinson R22 Ellington, US-Connecticut
17-Jan-13
Rolled over onto starboard side on training flight, 2 POB not injured
17-Jan-13 N223MG Robinson R22 San Marcos, US-Texas
17-Jan-13
Hard landing on training flight. FAA report gives reg as N223GM which is not a valid registration. N223GM is assumed, based on it being the right helicopter type and registered to a Designated Pilot Examiner who leases 2+ R22s to Alamo Helicopters
Bolvian Police order two Robinson R44s
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Jan-13
Bolivian Government Minister Carlos Romero is reported in local press as announcing that the the national law enforcement agency “Policía Boliviana” will receive two Robinson R44s later this month. Due to the altitudes involved in Bolivia, the pair will not be able to fly around the capital La Paz, which lies between 10,650 and 13,250 [...]
R66 Floats and cargo hook are Robinson’s top priority
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Jan-13
With a total of 191 R66s shipped in 2012, it’s clear that the company’s turbine helicopter is a great success, even without certification in Canada, Russia and most significantly the EASA countries in Europe. When making their annual statement on production numbers, Robinson noted that their top priority – based on customer demand – is [...]
Robinson 2012 production 45% up on 2011
Source: Robinson, 14-Jan-13
Robinson Helicopter’s production for 2012 was 517 helicopters – 191 R66s, 286 R44s and 40 R22s, a 45% increase over 2011’s production of 356. As in previous years, the majority of those sales (70%) went to foreign customers. Based on the backlog of new orders, Robinson anticipates 2013’s production numbers to surpass 2012’s. The current [...]
First R22 blade recovered from Tampa Bay
Source: Tampa Bay Online, 13-Jan-13
Following Robinson’s offer of a reward for the recovery of the two blades of an R22 involved in a fatal accident, the first blade has now been brought up and the second one sighted (see full story) File photo
11-Jan-13 ZK-IPY Robinson R44 II Glenorchy, New Zealand
11-Jan-13
Main rotor blade struck the tail boom during start-up due to a wind gust. Significant damage was caused to the tail boom, with associated damage to the rotor blades.
New Helicopter Service in Palau, Micronesia with R66
Source: Palau Helicopters, 10-Jan-13
The only one of its kind in Palau, pioneer dive shop Fish ‘n Fins just introduced a new helicopter service. Officially known as Palau Helicopters Inc., Fish ‘n Fins now owns and operates a brand new Robinson R66 turbine helicopter, which allows visitors to experience the beauty of Palau‘s Rock islands from the air. Scenic flight [...]
10-Jan-13 D-HIZZ Robinson R44 Schwäbisch Hall, Germany (1F)
10-Jan-13
Helicopter crashed on to highway, killing pilot. Post crash fire. Truck driver injured in the ensuing chaos. No other injuries, despite heavy traffic at the time. Weather reported as wet. Helicopter _may_ have hit wires, causing crash. Pilot reported as “ 42 year old small business owner from Hohenlohe”
Search ends for R44 in Arizona lake
Source: Payson Roundup, 03-Jan-13
Gila County Sheriff’s Office dive teams scoured the bottom of the lake for more than a week, but found no sign of the helicopter, which splashed into the lake during a sightseeing flight out of Mesa (see full story). File photo see also the following from HeliHub.com safety data pages – 07-Dec-12 N557AC Robinson R44 [...]
03-Jan-13 VH-RYO Robinson R44 Morrabbin, Australia
03-Jan-13
During lift off, the helicopter’s tail struck the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its side. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
Robinson offers reward for blades from fatal R22 accident
Source: Robinson, 02-Jan-13
On 30 November 2012, a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed into Tampa Bay near Apollo Beach. Most of the helicopter was recovered with the exception of the two main rotor blades. An extensive search of the properties in Apollo Beach was unsuccessful in locating the missing blades. Investigators are confident the blades are located offshore. Robinson [...]
02-Jan-13 N345VH Robinson R22 Tampa, US-Florida
02-Jan-13
Helicopter tipped over onto its starboard side on a training flight landing
01-Jan-12 OO-RWK Robinson R22 Hoevenen, Belgium
01-Jan-13
Dynamic Roll-over on training flight. No injuries reported to instructor or student
23-Dec-12 N27AT Robinson R22 Corcoran, US-Minnesota
23-Dec-12
Crashed on landing – the 68-year old owner of the helicopter Trygve Nils Svard was landing at his son’s house. Helicopter started to spin and it was put down hurriedly, remaining upright but catching fire. Photos show a trailer well within the rotor disc area at its final resting spot. Pilot suffered minor burns only.
Nigerian Air Force take delivery of first two R66s
Source: Mornington-Sanford Aviation, 21-Dec-12
The Nigerian Air Force Invites the World Famous “Pink Shirt” (Richard Mornington-Sanford) to their base in Enugu to conduct a Robinson R66 with RR300 engine Type training Course and assemble their first two R66 helicopters. 11 technicians (including two members of the Nigerian Aviation Authority) attended the theoretical element of the course, which was conducted [...]
New B206/R44 charter operator at Hawthorne, California
17-Dec-12
Star Helicopters, one of the leading helicopter tour operators in Los Angeles, is proud to begin operating charter and air taxi helicopter rides with an FAA Part 135 certification. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all aircraft operators carrying passengers for hire in point-to-point helicopter rides or charters and commuter flights must carry this [...]
Lawyer reminds R44 owners of bladder tank retrofit rebate cut-off date
Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, 17-Dec-12
Robinson helicopter crash lawyers, Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, can report that Robinson Helicopter Company’s R44 fuel tank rebate offer is about to expire. After many low impact post-crash fires, the company announced that it was offering a $1,000 incentive to R44 owners who purchase and install their bladder fuel tank kit by December 31, [...]
16-Dec-12 PR-IJU Robinson R22 Guarapiranga Dam, Brazil
16-Dec-12
Training accident, both occupants injured. Aircraft written off
15-Dec-12 N393LE Robinson R22 Logan-Cache Airport, US-Utah
15-Dec-12
Tipped over onto its side on landing. Training flight
Sloane Helicopters commits to Northern Ireland with Robinson overhauls
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Dec-12
Britain’s Sloane Helicopters opened its base in Northern Ireland at Enniskillen Airport back in 2007 before the recession hit – and it’s no secret that helicopter operations in Northern Ireland have been hit nearly as badly as those in the country of Ireland to the south. Undaunted by this, Sloane are showing a continued commitment [...]
Kurt Robinson named to IHST Executive Committee
Source: IHST, 11-Dec-12
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to enhance safety and reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has added Robinson Helicopter Company President Kurt Robinson to its Executive Committee. Kurt Robinson heads the Robinson Helicopter Company, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters. The company of nearly [...]
09-Dec-12 VH-WOH Robinson R44 Mudgee, Australia (1F)
09-Dec-12
Crashed during crop spraying operations. Sole occupant pilot killed.
09-Dec-12 Robinson R44 Ploski, Russia
09-Dec-12
R44 with 3 POB missing. Did not arrive at intended destination in the Dmitrov District after taking off on 40 mile flight
07-Dec-12 N557AC Robinson R44 Roosevelt Lake, US-Arizona
07-Dec-12
The aircraft was on a two-hour sightseeing tour when it went down in 60 feet of water only 25 minutes after taking off from Scottsdale Airpark. The pilot is identified as 62-year-old Fred Cleeves, owner of Skyblue Helicopters. The passengers were George Riedel, 64, and Julie Barba, 49.
UTair Engineering starts its first R44 overhaul
Source: UTair, 05-Dec-12
The first Robinson R44 helicopter has been delivered to the UTair-Engineering MRO facility in Tyumen for capital repairs. The compete inspection and refitting is expected to take 3 months. In 2012 UTair-Engineering passed the Robinson Helicopter and Russian Aviation Authority MRO performance audits in 2012, qualifying for capital repair operations on R44 helicopters, making UTair-Engineering [...]
05-Dec-12 C-FRSO Robinson R44 Slave Lake, Canada (1F)
05-Dec-12
Emergency beacon activated, helicopter in forested area – sole occupant pilot Glen Freeland died in the accident. Three rescuers had to be dropped by helicopter to cut out a landing pad. CADAORS 2012C5203
Robinson doubles R66 production rate
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Dec-12
Robinson Helicopter Co have confirmed to HeliHub.com that they have doubled the R66 production rate from three a week at the start of 2012 to six a week at the back end of the year. The company target is that the lead time for delivery should never be more than six months, and they had [...]
Hong Kong approves Dart’s R44 emergency floats
Source: DART helicopter Services, 04-Dec-12
DART helicopter Services is pleased to announce Hong Kong Approval of their R44 Emergency Float Kits. FAA, EASA and Transport Canada approvals have already been granted. The Apical Emergency Float System provides a lightweight and easy to install solution for R44 Raven operators who need to fly over water, and are requesting the added increased [...]
30-Nov-12 N2626N Robinson R22 Apollo Beach, US-Florida (1F)
30-Nov-12
Crashed into water, killing sole occupant pilot John “Larry” Ward. Witness reported rotor blade separation
Eccentric R44 owner has helicopter siezed
Source: Phoenix New Times, 29-Nov-12
The problem began on October 12, 2011, when a report about a suspicious pilot came into the Flagstaff office of the US Dept of Homeland Security Investigations. (see full story)
Cobham donates $72K radio for Yavapai County Sheriff R44
25-Nov-12
Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher has accepted a donated RT-5000 radio from Cobham Aerospace Communications. The $72,000 radio was custom-built for YCSO, and can be upgraded as technology changes. (see full story)
Mornington Sanford Aviation gain R66 Factory Maintenance Training Approval
Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation, 25-Nov-12
Mornington Sanford Aviation have recently been approved by Robinson Helicopter Co as a provider of R66 Factory Maintenance Training. This provides the company the ability to provide Worldwide maintenance training to either RHC factory or EASA Part 147 Type training standards. Richard Mornington-Sanford has forty years of experience in the aviation industry; 30 of these [...]
25-Nov-12 N4204A Robinson R44 Corona, US-California (1F)
25-Nov-12
Helicopter exploded after striking fuel bay canopy. Sole occupant pilot was killed. Occurred at 11.08pm local time. The casualty was later named as owner James Belcher
22-Nov-12 PP-MEJ Robinson R22 Marica, Brazil
22-Nov-12
Turned over during attempted landing. Landed on port side with tail boom separated
21-Nov-12 PR-UTJ Robinson R22 Serra da Grota Funda, Brazil (2F)
21-Nov-12
Crashed in a wooded area on training flight. Instructor Silvestre Travassos Neto, 34, and student Felipe Barreto, 18, died at the scene
National Park Service issues statement on R22 crash
Source: National Park Service, 19-Nov-12
The National Park Service released a statement this morning regarding the Oct. 3 helicopter crash in North Cascades National Park:- On October 4th, rangers received a report that a leased Robinson 22 helicopter had crashed the day before in a remote area of the park about six miles south of the international border with Canada. [...]
15-Nov-12 N2356T Robinson R22B Portland, US-Oregon
15-Nov-12
Emergency landing on sports field. No damage. Out by road to maintenance facility
08-Nov-12 Robinson R22 Central Otago, New Zealand (1F)
08-Nov-12
Experienced pilot killed in “perfect weather conditions” after reportedly “falling out of the sky”. Police stated that the pilot was Julian Dean Kramer (52), also known as Julianne Kramer – chief flying instructor at Wakatipu Aero Club. Helicopter may be ZK-HCG (1499)
01-Nov-12 N231TM Robinson R22 Alexander City, US-Alabama
01-Nov-12
Two injured in light helicopter accident
Redlands and Fontana Police departments share aerial coverage
Source: San Bernardino Sun, 31-Oct-12
Two forces – one with a Robinson R44 (and expanding to R66) and one with a Cessna fixed-wing – to merge aviation operations (see full story)
31-Oct-12 VH-HOA Robinson R22 Innamincka, Australia
31-Oct-12
During mustering, the helicopter collided with water and submerged.
27-Oct-12 N2627M Robinson R22M Lake Havasu, US-Arizona
27-Oct-12
Pilot put R22 Mariner down into Lake Havasu after experiencingd unspecified mechanical problems. Mohave County Sheriff’s reported the pilot as Michael Christiansen, and his passenger as Michael Rabo. It is unclear from press reports how this helicopter sank, given it has fixed floats
26-Oct-12 N7530F Robinson R44 Chelatchie, US-Washington
26-Oct-12
Substantially damaged during tree harvesting operation
25-Oct-12 PR-MPL Robinson R44 Sento Sé, Brazil
25-Oct-12
Pilot named as Múcio Pereira Júnior, 31. Passengers were Rafael Cavalcanti and Alan Magalhães Souza, both 29. Level of damage not apparent from reports, which confirm it crashed in a forested area
24-Oct-12 PP-MAQ Robinson R22 Porto Alegre, Brazil
24-Oct-12
Training accident, lost control during ground taxi in gusty conditions up to 22 knots of wind. Helicopter landed and turned over onto its starboard side. Student pilot Maycon Nogaroli, 35, was not injured. Instructor Samir Nagib Murr, 32, was hospitalized with head injuries.
DeSoto Parish Sheriff acquires R44 from DeSoto County Sheriff
22-Oct-12
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office has a new weapon to help fight crime. The Sheriff recently bought a Robinson R44 Helicopter from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. (see full story)
Cool City Avionics announces Authorized Dealers
Source: Cool City Avionics, 19-Oct-12
Cool City Avionics, a manufacturer of low cost, professional-grade automatic flight guidance control systems and helicopter stability augmentation systems, is pleased to announce that it has appointed thirteen new authorized dealers in the United States, three in Canada and one each in Denmark, Germany and Guatemala. Additional dealers will be appointed in the coming months. [...]
18-Oct-12 Robinson R44 Innisfail, Canada
18-Oct-12
Two people uninjured when helicopter crashed at Innisfail Airport, 120 miles N of Calgary. Helicopter was approx 6m altitude on take off. CADAORS ref 2012C4679
16-Oct-12 RA-04206 Robinson R44 Muravlyanka, Russia (1F)
16-Oct-12
Crashed and burned on field. Pilot fatally injured
Students’ legal appeal goes ahead in Silver State Helicopters loan case
Source: Press-Enterprise, 13-Oct-12
A federal appeals court will re-hear the case against a Key Bank that gave out $70,000 loans to students of Silver State Helicopters. Other banks, including Citibank, have forgiven its student loans (see full story)
Okaloosa County approves new helicopter tour company in Destin
Source: Destin4Me, 12-Oct-12
Okaloosa recently approved a new tourism helicopter company in Destin that has some residents up in arms. Beach Helicopter can proceed with their plans to set-up a 6,000-square-foot helipad off U.S. Highway 98 (see full story). Beach Helicopter are understood to operate a Robinson R44
11-Oct-12 N474FA Robinson R44 Luckenbach, US-Texas (3F)
11-Oct-12
Circumstances not known. 3 fatalities – pilot Chester Monroe (35) and passengers Rusty Aaron (26) and Kaci Fairchild (29)
11-Oct-12 VH-NWD Robinson R44 Cairns, Australia
11-Oct-12
During the initial climb, the pilot received a clutch warning and the helicopter lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing and the helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Robinson Helicopter Co donates to area middle schools
Source: EasyReader, 07-Oct-12
Torrance-based Robinson Helicopter Co. donated $15,000 each to Palos Verdes and Torrance school districts. In PV the funds went toward building fabrication labs at each of three area middle schools. (see full story)
03-Oct-12 VH-LLF Robinson R22 Halls Creek, Australia (1F)
03-Oct-12
Crashed on a cattle station half way between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, and two days later the press reported that the pilot’s body remains trapped in the wreckage underwater in a remote gorge.
03-Oct-12 N80140 Robinson R22 Marblemount, US-Washington
03-Oct-12
Emergency landing made in Cascades National Park
Austin Helicopter Tours opens for business
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Sep-12
Stacy and Randy Riggs, owners of Alamo Helicopter Tours of San Antonio are expanding to a second Texan city with the launch of Austin Helicopter Tours. They open for business on 1st October from Bud Dryden Airport, which is about four miles north east of the main Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Initially focusing on the tour [...]
30-Sep-12 N8341W Robinson R44 Nocona, US-Texas
30-Sep-12
Crashed into Lake Nocona, 3 POB – pilot was reportedly the owner Darren Fenoglio, with passengers Josh Walterscheid and Derrick Morse. Helicopter sank in lake. One report stated pilot only had a student certificate and thus not allowed to carry passengers
28-Sep-12 ZK-HLZ Robinson R44 Hastings, New Zealand
28-Sep-12
During a an orchard spraying operation, while pilot was concentrating on avoiding a line of tree, the tail rotor struck a wire. Tail rotor effectiveness was lost and the main rotors struck some trees. Helicopter rolled over
26-Sep-12 N4171J Robinson R22B Anchorage, US-Alaska
26-Sep-12
Training accident, dynamic rollover onto starboard side
24-Sep-12 PR-JRG Robinson R22 Guarulhos City, Brazil
24-Sep-12
Training accident. Photos show location was near pylon – were cables involved?
FAA certifies Robinson R66 Police variant
Source: Robinson, 23-Sep-12
On 7 September 2012, Robinson Helicopter Company received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine Police Helicopter. Robinson’s R66 Police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations. The four-place R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with the latest in surveillance systems. Turn-key ready, the R66 [...]
21-Sep-12 9A-HMA Robinson R44 Prgomet, Croatia
22-Sep-12
Crashed and ended up on its port side. Initial investigations are looking at whether the helicopter was overloaded and/or outside CofG limits
