19-Jun-2013
A police superintendent, a police pilot and another police officer survived a helicopter crash landing atop a rem ote mountain... Read more
18-Jun-2013Source: Dart Aerospace
DART Aerospace now offers a complete field maintenance kit carefully designed for the R66 aircraft. The kit that is packaged in a sturdy Pelican case features every tool you will need to perform routine field maintenance on the R66. Every tool is encapsulated in a foam liner to ensure proper order of tools and safe... Read more
17-Jun-2013
Bird strike, windshield damaged, landed OK... Read more
15-Jun-2013Source: Heliflite
Heliflite was pleased to deliver the first new R66 Turbine helicopter into Perth earlier this month. Heliflite’s Western Australian manager Tony Bates was proud to supply the aircraft to Oliver Dunkel and his wife Gerda, who are the proprietors of Perth Harley Davidson. The new R66 Turbine was ferried from Sydney to Perth by Oliver... Read more
15-Jun-2013
Emergency landing on shoulder of main road after reported engine failure... Read more
6-Jun-2013
Pilot experienced mechanical issue, made immediate heavy landing, bounced and fell onto its side. Four POB minor injuries only.... Read more
5-Jun-2013Source: FAI
The FAI has recently ratified two rotocraft world records claimed by Sergey Ananov from Russia. On 22 February 2013, Ananov made a “Distance without landing” flight in a Robinson R22 Beta Helicopter of 1232 km (previous record: 1176.79) from Moscow to Ufa (Russia) and a “Distance over a closed circuit” flight of 1062 km (previous... Read more
4-Jun-2013Source: Rotorcorp
Montreal based Dart Aerospace has selected Rotorcorp, LLC to conduct advance orders and delivery of the company’s emergency float system for the Robinson R66 Helicopter; with the anticipated FAA approval of the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) at the end of the summer. “Helicopters find work where the roads end. Utilization of the Dart R66 floats... Read more
3-Jun-2013Source: Robinson
On 31 May 2013, Transport Canada issued its type certificate for the R66. Thirteen U.S. registered R66 helicopters are currently operating in Canada, and Robinson will deliver another thirteen by the end of this year. Canadian certification reached a standstill until the FAA’s ELOS (Equivalent Level of Safety) finding that effectively removed an exemption in... Read more
3-Jun-2013
Two killed, one seriously injured – police helicopter on training flight. Post crash fire... Read more
3-Jun-2013
Training accident. Main blades chopped tail boom. Helicopter ended up on its skids... Read more
3-Jun-2013
Deteriorating weather conditions were encountered. The pilot elected to divert and subsequently came into contact with trees while manoeuvring. The helicopter collided with terrain and was destroyed by post impact fire. The pilot was able to exit the helicopter but sustained serious injuries. CADORS 2013C2142... Read more
2-Jun-2013
Helicopter crashed into lake, 3 POB saved by nearby boaters... Read more
2-Jun-2013
Helicopter crashed into the fuel pumps, ending upside down impaled on them. No fire. Two injured... Read more
30-May-2013
Destroyed in take-off accident on first solo flight... Read more
24-May-2013
Crashed in heavy wooded area. Fatalities named as pilot William Higgenbotham, 32, and the passenger was Catalina Richard, 21.... Read more
22-May-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Russian Robinson distributor Aviamarket has landed a Robinson R66 on the North Pole for the first time. In an expedition between 2nd and 14th April, the company’s chief pilot Dmitry Rakitsky flew with Michael Farih to make the record breaking flight for a number of reasons. While the key target was the geographical achievement, the... Read more
18-May-2013
Emergency landing for “engine issues”... Read more
16-May-2013Source: MSN
A Central Otago pilot has escaped with his life and a lucky lid after his unattended helicopter took off, crashed and the tail rotor grazed his helmet. (See Full Story)... Read more
15-May-2013Source: IOL
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has given the green light for a R4-million sponsorship of two anti-rhino poaching helicopters as well as securing two fixed-wing aircraft to bolster the fight against the onslaught of rhino poaching in KZN. (See Full Story)... Read more
15-May-2013Source: Helifilte
Heliflite’s authorised Robinson helicopter sales and service centre at Jandakot Airport celebrates five years of operation. In 2008 Heliflite opened its Western Australian centre at Perth’s Jandakot Airport. Manager Tony Bates leads the experienced Heliflite WA team. Heliflite has long been involved in the Western Australian helicopter industry going back to the late 1970s with a charter organisation once based... Read more
13-May-2013Source: Khon 2
New video has been released following Wednesday’s helicopter crash landing in downtown Honolulu. The Kukui Plaza condominium captured the crash landing on surveillance video. (See Full Story)... Read more
13-May-2013Source: Alabama Media Group
A helicopter tour and charter business continues to expand in the city with the council’s approval of a second heliport this week. (See Full Story)... Read more
9-May-2013
Training accident, helicopter ended up on its starboard side in local park... Read more
8-May-2013
Force landed in street and badly damaged in collision with parked vehicle... Read more
8-May-2013
Very heavy landing on snow at 2,500m (8,200ft) altitude. Helicopter ended up on its side with the tail boom broken. Minor injuries to the 73-year old pilot and his wife/passenger... Read more
7-May-2013Source: Colorado Heli-Ops
After their move in November to a larger newly remodeled facility, the Broomfield, Colo.-based company has added new helicopters and services. Heli-Ops is now a full service helicopter flight center. Their award-winning training center is the first in the United States to offer full-curriculum Scenario Based Training programs. They also have a utility side of... Read more
7-May-2013Source: Sky News
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an order grounding all Robinson R44 helicopters that have not undergone a recently ordered safety upgrade. (See Full Story)... Read more
3-May-2013
Helicopter ended up on its side in an open field... Read more
2-May-2013
Tail boom broke off from the cabin area – which in turn came to rest on the vertical rear of the engine cover with the nose pointing to the sky.... Read more
2-May-2013
Rolled over during aerial spraying operation... Read more
2-May-2013
“Helicopter took off on its own and came down on its side”... Read more
30-Apr-2013Source: Aspen Avionics
Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the innovative Evolution Flight Display System, announced today the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for installation of Aspen Evolution H-series Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs) into the Robinson R44 and R44 II model helicopters. Previously announced for N-registered aircraft, this expanded Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson specialist Rotorcorp has posted an online video to help the appeal to track down an axe-wielding vandal who seriously damaged a Robinson R44. The helicopter was parked outside overnight in Montreal Canada on Friday 19th April 2013, when someone. Damage to the tail boom and most windows is evident from the video, as well... Read more
24-Apr-2013Source: Lycoming
Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation, released Service Instruction SI-1070R in April of 2012, which approved a wide variety of engines for use with ASTM D7547 UL 91 unleaded avgas. European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 2011-01 provided aircraft-level approval on the basis of engine approval. Today Lycoming is pleased to... Read more
23-Apr-2013
Helicopter departed Nelspruit, picked up passengers at Casterbridge and was en route to Grand Central, but crashed in an open field. Visibility is quoted in press reports as a possible factor. The victims were named as Nicholas More, Pierre de Villiers, Lance Cooper and Elmarie Martens.... Read more
23-Apr-2013
Helicopter rolled over onto its side, causing substantial damage, shortly after cameraman had got out. Off airfield landing at transport depot of BE-Trans... Read more
17-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson Helicopter Co have this week advised all of their distributors that new R22 helicopters from serial number 4622 will be fitted with a bladder fuel tank and not an aluminium one as before. The new bladder’s useable capacity is decreased by 3.8 gallons or approximately 25 minutes of flight time – a significant amount.... Read more
16-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Transport Canada is closing in on the announcement that it has certified the Robinson R66. In a similar way to Russia, Canada has recently accepted the ELOS document issued by the FAA – and that is the last key piece in the jigsaw. ELOS (Equivalent Level Of Safety) is a technical reassurance on the hydraulic... Read more
15-Apr-2013Source: Nordic Rotors
On March 11 Sweden got a new helicopter pilot, a pilot who passed his skill test at the age of 76. Mr Erik Öinert, a former fighter pilot, gained his private helicopter license (PPL-H) after training with flight instructor Svein Martinsen in Helicopter Assistance’s R44 SE-JOE. As implied, Erik is not new to flying. In... Read more
12-Apr-2013
76 year old pilot and his 51 year old passenger not injured in accident, which left helicopter on its side... Read more
11-Apr-2013Source: NZ CAA
The CAA proposes the following new Airworthiness Directive requiring the replacement of aluminium fuel tanks on Robinson R44 series aircraft with new bladder-type tanks of improved resistance to post-accident rupture. The AD is prompted by reports of three Robinson R44 accidents in Australia involving fuel tank ruptures and fires. These accidents resulted in the loss... Read more
11-Apr-2013
Substantially damaged – solo student training flight... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: AIAA
Frank D. Robinson, founder, Robinson Helicopter Company, Torrance, Calif., has been selected to receive the 2013 Daniel Guggenheim Medal. He will receive the medal on Wednesday evening, May 22, at the Grand Awards Banquet of the American Helicopter Society International’s 69th Annual Forum and Technology Display, May 21–23, at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz.... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: IOL NEWS
Argentine passenger in R44 accident sues the pilot – her boyfriend’s father (see full story).... Read more
10-Apr-2013
Helicopter was left unattended with the engine running. The helicopter became airborne, spun around, and struck the ground.... Read more
9-Apr-2013
Moved on its pad while the pilot was conducting checks after engine start, with the tail rotor striking and rupturing a container of AVGAS.... Read more
8-Apr-2013Source: Florida Today
This site is across the highway from Xtreme Fun at Jungle Village, and he plans to lease a Robinson R44 he calls the Honda of helicopters (see full story)... Read more
5-Apr-2013Source: ATSB
Robinson R44 helicopters that have not been fitted with upgraded fuel tanks face being grounded from 30 April 2013. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued a direction to all affected R44 helicopter operators about the installation of flexible fuel tanks to reduce the risk of post-accident fires. CASA has made it clear that R44... Read more
4-Apr-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Miami-Dade Police have today issued a statement naming Mark Palmieri, aged 53, as the deceased pilot of the R44 which came down in a fatal crash close to Tamiami Airport yesterday. Palmieri was the owner of Bravo Helicopters, which was based at the airport. There is no indication at this time as to the cause... Read more
3-Apr-2013
Crashed into a parking lot two miles after take-off, killing both occupants. Non-aviation witnesses report an explosion before the helicopter reached the ground. Post crash fire. The deceased were later named by Miami Dade Police as pilot Mark Palmieri and passenger Ross Allen. One report states it was a post-maintenance test flight... Read more
3-Apr-2013
Unknown circumstances. Wreck found next morning after failing to arrive at intended destination... Read more
30-Mar-2013
Precautionary landing – no further details known... Read more
28-Mar-2013
Pilot Franklin Holguín Sandoval smelt burning and made successful autorotation landing. Shortly after leaving the aircraft it was engulfed in flames and burnt out. Solo pilot was uninjured.... Read more
27-Mar-2013Source: Mornington Sanford Aviation
Richard Mornington-Sanford of Mornington Sanford Aviation assist South Asian Airlines of Dhaka, Bangladesh to certify the first Robinson R66 Turbine in Country. The Robinson R66 Turbine, registration S2-AFC, serial number 0237, was shipped from RHC via sea freight to Chittagong where the helicopter was re-assembled and test flown. S2-AFC was then delivered to South Asian... Read more
26-Mar-2013
Powerline patrol helicopter had accident involving trees. Pilot uninjured. CADAORS ref 2013C1124... Read more
25-Mar-2013Source: The Australian
An R44 that burst into flames when it crashed south of Sydney, killing four people, was fitted with older-style fuel tanks known to pose a fire hazard (See Full Story).... Read more
22-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Australian investigation authority ATSB has issued their final report on the fatal R22 accident on 3rd October last year which occurred 130 km west of Halls Creek in Western Australia. The summary is a blunt reminder of issues with confined areas, light levels etc What happened On 3 October 2012 the pilots of two... Read more
22-Mar-2013Source: ATP
ATP has released 5 new libraries in support of Robinson Helicopters. They include 1 new Maintenance Library and 4 new Operator Libraries. The Maintenance Library includes the Maintenance Manuals, Parts Catalogs, Service Bulletins, ADs and Flight Manuals needed to maintain the R66 airframe. The Operators Libraries include the POH, ADs, MMEL, and AIM and are... Read more
21-Mar-2013Source: Robinson
HeliHub.com broke the story of Russian R66 certification ahead of the official press release from Robinson. Now the latter is issued – see below – there are big order numbers being quoted and evidently Robinson have been happily taking orders and deposits ready for just this time. Quite a contrasting situation in Europe, though. Robinson... Read more
21-Mar-2013
Clipped tree(s) during landing phase and crashed killing all four on board. Helicopter operator Bankstown Helicopters confirmed that the aircraft had been hired by a private pilot... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Bellingham Aviation Services
Bellingham Aviation Services (BAS), a leading FBO in the Pacific Northwest, announces the expansion of its aviation service offering with the addition of rotorcraft commercial photo and filming flights. “As our staff and training fleet have grown with increased demand, we feel it is an ideal time to further enhance our services and develop the... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson distributor Aerosoyuz has announced that the Interstate Aviation Committee – Russia’s type certification authority – has approved the Robinson R66. The company says that the issue of type certificate ST337-R66 has been delayed by at least a year due to the hydraulic issues that has delayed approval by key authorities including Transport Canada and... Read more
18-Mar-2013Source: The Daily Observer
Four people are in custody including two inmates of a maximum-security jail who made a brazen daylight escape when a hijacked helicopter dropped a cable to the convicts and flew off (see full story). The successful escape was then curtailed when Quebec Provincial Police tracked down the escapee, who gave himself up peacefully.... Read more
18-Mar-2013Source: Nordic Rotors
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report after an accident that occurred on 6 September 2011 in Ånn, close to Åre, involving a Norwegian helicopter with the registration LN-OAB. The aircraft, a Robinson R44 Astro, was taking off for a private flight with three people onboard when the engine... Read more
15-Mar-2013Source: Seymour Herald
Public Safety Aviation, a public private partnership, held a presentation conference to highlight the benefits of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department new helicopter patrol Feb. 22 (see full story)... Read more
14-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Robinson continues to work with the relevant authorities to get the turbine engined R66 certified in Russia, Canada and Europe – and a recent press release from Sloane Helicopters confirms that some progress is being made – indeed there is every indication that now the FAA has granted Robinson the ELOS (Equivalent Level of Safety) paperwork, certification... Read more
14-Mar-2013
Aircraft landed on its skids but tail boom severed (by main blades?) see photo.... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Here in the UK we have had some recent high-profile general media stories about huge international organisations avoiding tax. Household names including Amazon, Google and Starbucks were splashed across the headlines – each of them using various legal tactics to minimise their UK tax payment. While these activities may be ethically dubious, they are all perfectly... Read more
9-Mar-2013
Crashed on a ridge above the Oamaru Valley, east of Turangi, after dropping off a hunting party. The body of pilot Mark Didsbury was found 50m away from the helicopter... Read more
7-Mar-2013Source: Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters, the UK and Ireland Robinson Dealer since the mid 1970’s has, along with many other potential European buyers, been frustrated at the delays to EASA certification of the R66. During the original FAA certification of the R66, the FAA granted Robinson an exemption from the redundant control valve regulation. Several non US countries... Read more
4-Mar-2013Source: Wall Colmonoy
Aerobraze Engineered Technologies, a division of Wall Colmonoy, congratulates Robinson Helicopter on their introduction and success with the R66 Turbine Helicopters. Global demand for the R66 is a confirmation of the exceptional engineering for the powerful helicopter. AET Oklahoma City engineers were pleased to be asked to collaborate with Robinson in their design and manufacture of the... Read more
2-Mar-2013
Struck powerlines and crashed, reportedly after engine failure. Helicopter destroyed... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: Helidecks Software Solutions
Helidecks Software Solutions has released a series of cockpit guide and checklist apps for the AW109 and R44 helicopters. A professional-grade pilots checklist, the app is designed to provide pilots and instructors with an easy-to-follow challenge and response style set of checklists. The app is available to purchase through the Apple iTunes store. for use... Read more
27-Feb-2013Source: Helitowcart
Helitowcart, a specialist in helicopter handling devices and accessories is now adding a new product: Dual Wheels compatible with the R44 and R66. Helitowcart wheels for Robinsons are known for their heavy duty construction for long term reliability. The company already offers multiple wheel models and configurations for Robinsons. This latest addition will cater to... Read more