A-95-001
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FAA. PROHIBIT FURTHER FLIGHT OF THE ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 HELICOPTER UNTIL (1) ADEQUATE RESEARCH AND TESTING ARE ACCOMPLISHED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF IN-FLIGHT MAIN ROTOR BLADE DIVERGENT BEHAVIOR, AND (2) MODIFICATIONS ARE MADE TO THE HELICOPTER OR APPROPRIATE LIMITATIONS ARE PLACED IN THE FLIGHT MANUAL TO PRECLUDE DIVERGENT MAIN ROTOR BEHAVIOR AND IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP ACCIDENTS WHERE PILOTS ARE UNABLE TO PREVENT LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR CONTROL IN THE APPROVED OPERATING ENVELOPE. (URGENT)
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to ground all Robinson R44 helicopters until research identifies the cause of dangerous main rotor blade behavior in flight, and until modifications or flight manual limits are introduced to prevent that behavior and in-flight breakups where pilots lose rotor control within the approved operating envelope.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Feb 22, 1996 |
| NTSB number | DCA95RA011 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).