Stress fracture

Warning over use of type for agricultural flying

Robinson R44 re-evaluated for agriculture operations in NZ

The NZ media has reported on the follow-up to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission’s final report dated December 2017, concerning the failure of a main rotor blade on a Robinson R44 in Southland in January 2015.

While spraying gorse near Waikaia, the pilot felt an unusual and significant vibration. He landed immediately and discovered a large crack in the lower skin of one of the main rotor blades. The crack’s origin indicated metal fatigue. Later, flight testing by the manufacturer found the stress in this area was higher than had been thought. Robinson has since made design changes to new main rotor blades for R44 (and R66) helicopters.

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