Robinson R22 Corner [Archive copy]
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Just my thoughts, im not saying this is what happened.
Perhaps if the blade did come off in flight, and seeing the position of the fusalage, maybe the the blade was flung into the fence, which would possibly explain why it is dented, also it would have hit the ground at some rate of knots.
Glad to hear pilot is ok.
Hughesy
Perhaps if the blade did come off in flight, and seeing the position of the fusalage, maybe the the blade was flung into the fence, which would possibly explain why it is dented, also it would have hit the ground at some rate of knots.
Glad to hear pilot is ok.
Hughesy
Thanks for the help HP.
I am really suprised that this incident has not been commented on further.
To me this is one of the worst problems that the R22 has ever experienced...in fact it may be the worst problem any machine ever has experienced.
What sort of chance does a pilot have when the machine seems to be flawed? The accidents in Australia were the result of abuse - chronic abuse. These blades were only 700hrs old.
Its one thing to go out and kill yourself by your own hand. It will be a sad last few seconds when you realise that the blade departed the aircraft and you have no chance at all.
Thank the good lord that I am out of the R22 market.
I am really suprised that this incident has not been commented on further.
To me this is one of the worst problems that the R22 has ever experienced...in fact it may be the worst problem any machine ever has experienced.
What sort of chance does a pilot have when the machine seems to be flawed? The accidents in Australia were the result of abuse - chronic abuse. These blades were only 700hrs old.
Its one thing to go out and kill yourself by your own hand. It will be a sad last few seconds when you realise that the blade departed the aircraft and you have no chance at all.
Thank the good lord that I am out of the R22 market.
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Steve76,
my reading of the latest ATSB report on the failures indicates that the latest one may not come apart from "chronic abuse" as you indicate.
The report can be found ATSB Report .
My reading indicates that corrosion started the process of fatigue and then use of the blade accelerated it. The report also says that when the ATSB tested other blades they found the same problem that may have started the failure process in the accident.
The ATSB then issued a recommendation (over a year ago) and it appears that the results found in the US may have been similar.
The report also indicates that there was a failure of a blade in flight in Israel.
The question one must ask is how many cattle and how much abuse did the blades on the Israeli helo cop? Not much me thinks....
If this failure in NZ is anything similar to the one that the ATSB are investigating then there may be some very serious repercussions for the entire fleet coming from this.
Kicker....
my reading of the latest ATSB report on the failures indicates that the latest one may not come apart from "chronic abuse" as you indicate.
The report can be found ATSB Report .
My reading indicates that corrosion started the process of fatigue and then use of the blade accelerated it. The report also says that when the ATSB tested other blades they found the same problem that may have started the failure process in the accident.
Six other R22 main rotor blades were obtained by the ATSB for the purposes of examining the adhesion between the end of the spar, the root fitting and upper and lower skins. These other blades exhibited similar disbonding, to varying extents, of the adhesive in the area of the end of the spar and the rotor blade root fitting. One example extended past the first and second bolt holes in the blade root fitting.
Initial findings of the examination of a sample of blades by the manufacturer revealed that these other blades exhibited similar disbonding, to varying extents, of the adhesive in the area of the end of the spar and the rotor blade root fitting to rotor blade skin attachment.
On 29 February 2004, a R22 helicopter registered and operated in Israel crashed following the loss of a main rotor blade in flight. Both occupants received fatal injuries. Following this accident the ATSB established contact with the Israeli Ministry of Transport who were responsible for the accident investigation.
If this failure in NZ is anything similar to the one that the ATSB are investigating then there may be some very serious repercussions for the entire fleet coming from this.
Kicker....
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How long ?
Personally I can't believe that these incidents keep happening and happening.
How many other machines have re-occuring problems that cost lives and injure people ?
How hard can it be to fix these problems once and for all ?
Bearing in mnid nothing can stop operators from exceeding times on lifed parts.
'Be gentle'
Loachboy
How many other machines have re-occuring problems that cost lives and injure people ?
How hard can it be to fix these problems once and for all ?
Bearing in mnid nothing can stop operators from exceeding times on lifed parts.
'Be gentle'
Loachboy
Thanks for the correction Tinkicker.
Not all the accidents are obviously the result of unrecorded hours but I was thinking of the Sydney acccident when I wrote that.
So, it emphasises that this is a major issue that continues to reappear every 6 months or less. I think it is an issue that more pilots need to hear about. I worked for a major Robinson dealer in Canada recently and never heard a word about this problem.
A 700hrs blade is not even half life.
Not all the accidents are obviously the result of unrecorded hours but I was thinking of the Sydney acccident when I wrote that.
So, it emphasises that this is a major issue that continues to reappear every 6 months or less. I think it is an issue that more pilots need to hear about. I worked for a major Robinson dealer in Canada recently and never heard a word about this problem.
A 700hrs blade is not even half life.
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R22 The weakest link
What,apart from the rotor system, do you consider to be the weakest link on your R22. Which component do you pay special attention to on you pre flight check.
Avoid imitations
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The nut on the end of the cyclic? 
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Robinson: Tech Q's (Merged)
Im going to nominate the flex coupling next to the m/r gearbox. Coupling fails. Engine rpm increase. all power transferred to tail for slit second. Shaft with large pulley on flails around, takes tanks out and all your electrics.
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Tools in R22
I do a fair bit of flying in isolated queensland and wanting to make up a small tool roll to put under the seat, already have some tools but wanting to know your opinion on what tools and size spanners are worth carrying to suit the R22.
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my outback toolkit
Having operated off a trailer all over the western USA, this is a subject dear to my heart! The toolkit is still evolving, but so far:
spanners (5/8 & 11/16? I forget), funnel, and pint of MR/TR gearbox oil for when you want to pull the chip detector all by yourself on an island in the middle of a flooded river 50 miles from cellphone coverage!
magnetic-bit multi-screwdriver (spare bits to replace those lost in the sand, please). AND tiny right-angle ratcheting slot and crosshead drivers, else you'll never be able to twiddle with engine cooling baffles.
at least all sizes sockets from 1/4" (clutch switch adjustment) to deep 7/8" (spark plugs). 7/32 and 11/32 will be vital for the 999+ engine baffle screws. 1/4" drive setup will take up less space & weight than 3/8; so you can carry ratchets, T-bars, various extensions, and universals in that size. And a Dictionary of Blasphemy.
Open-end & box-end in normal sizes weigh more, try for super-cheap pressed steel (they only have to function for a few minutes?)
Tiny open-end & box-end 1/4" through 7/16" are well worth having.
Needle-nose & plumber's pliers. Tiny wire cutters. Safety wire. Small tube of Silicone seal. Small tube of grease.
Tube of torque striping (consider matching color of the squiggles on nut heads emplaced by Officially Recognized Service Organizations).
Hacksaw (blade only?). Duct tape. Electrical tape.
You DO carry spare in-line fuses for the clutch wiring harness, no? Blowing your only fuse on above-mentioned island can ruin your day.
If you don't regularly compare your arm muscles to torque wrench values, carry one. IF you know the official torques!
How to carry: I put most of these in a couple of small plastic screw-top bottles left over from groceries. Light-weight, transparent, puncture-proof, waterproof, rustproof, unbreakable, instantly recognizeable. Properly loaded, they even float (remember the flooded river?).
OK, gang, what have I forgotten?
spanners (5/8 & 11/16? I forget), funnel, and pint of MR/TR gearbox oil for when you want to pull the chip detector all by yourself on an island in the middle of a flooded river 50 miles from cellphone coverage!
magnetic-bit multi-screwdriver (spare bits to replace those lost in the sand, please). AND tiny right-angle ratcheting slot and crosshead drivers, else you'll never be able to twiddle with engine cooling baffles.
at least all sizes sockets from 1/4" (clutch switch adjustment) to deep 7/8" (spark plugs). 7/32 and 11/32 will be vital for the 999+ engine baffle screws. 1/4" drive setup will take up less space & weight than 3/8; so you can carry ratchets, T-bars, various extensions, and universals in that size. And a Dictionary of Blasphemy.
Open-end & box-end in normal sizes weigh more, try for super-cheap pressed steel (they only have to function for a few minutes?)
Tiny open-end & box-end 1/4" through 7/16" are well worth having.
Needle-nose & plumber's pliers. Tiny wire cutters. Safety wire. Small tube of Silicone seal. Small tube of grease.
Tube of torque striping (consider matching color of the squiggles on nut heads emplaced by Officially Recognized Service Organizations).
Hacksaw (blade only?). Duct tape. Electrical tape.
You DO carry spare in-line fuses for the clutch wiring harness, no? Blowing your only fuse on above-mentioned island can ruin your day.
If you don't regularly compare your arm muscles to torque wrench values, carry one. IF you know the official torques!
How to carry: I put most of these in a couple of small plastic screw-top bottles left over from groceries. Light-weight, transparent, puncture-proof, waterproof, rustproof, unbreakable, instantly recognizeable. Properly loaded, they even float (remember the flooded river?).
OK, gang, what have I forgotten?
Senis Semper Fidelis
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To add to the comprehensive tool kit, in view of past experience, you will need a pretty good hammer, this helps unstick a sticking starter motor, plus it has allsorts of other use's!
PeterR-B
Vfr
PeterR-B
Vfr
Better red than ...
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Plus some chewing gum, so you consider what you are about to do before you do it.
A good first aid kit for running repairs when the scredriver slips " ......... aaaiiiiiiiiii! *&$$*** hell."
And monkey chow ... What for? The monkeys.
A good first aid kit for running repairs when the scredriver slips " ......... aaaiiiiiiiiii! *&$$*** hell."
And monkey chow ... What for? The monkeys.
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It appears that after much thought and in-depth discussion on this topic my initial suggestions seem correct.
A large flat bladed screwdriver and slightly larger hammer will perform admirably in almost any situation.
However, I do bow to superior knowledge and concede that a fist aid box should be a hand in case any of the afore mentioned tools technically malfunction.
A large flat bladed screwdriver and slightly larger hammer will perform admirably in almost any situation.
However, I do bow to superior knowledge and concede that a fist aid box should be a hand in case any of the afore mentioned tools technically malfunction.
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Supreme Court reinstates $6 million punitive award
The California Supreme Court reinstated a $6 million punitive award to Robinson Helicopter Co., ruling a jury was right to punish an Ohio supplier for misrepresenting faulty engine parts sold to the Torrance-based company.
The state high court's 6-1 decision in San Francisco overturned a lower court ruling that reversed a Superior Court jury's award to the helicopter manufacturer.
Robinson sued Toledo, Ohio-based Dana Corp. after discovering cracks in engine clutches it purchased from the company. Dana had changed the way it manufactured the parts without telling Robinson.
The Sprag clutch is primarily a safety mechanism that allows the helicopter's rotor blades to continue turning, and the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter, even if the aircraft loses power.
Of the 3,707 Sprag clutches Robinson bought from Dana between 1984 and July 1996, only 0.03 percent were faulty. But nearly 10 percent of the approximately 990 clutches purchased between July 1996 and October 1997 failed.
Dana disclosed for the first time in 1998 that it had changed the way it manufactured the parts during that period. Robinson was required to recall and replace all the faulty clutch assemblies, which cost the company more than $1.5 million.
Jurors decided Dana should pay $1.5 million to Robinson in compensatory damages and $6 million in punitive damages. But the 2nd District Court of Appeal reversed the punitive damage award in January 2003, saying it was a contractual dispute that did not warrant punitive damages.
Robinson appealed to the state Supreme Court, which disagreed with the lower court and Dana's argument that "proposes to increase the certainty in contractual relationships by encouraging fraudulent conduct at the expense of an innocent party," the opinion stated.