Is the R44 Safe?
 

High accident rates....issues with mast bumping. Is this a pilot issue or design? Should I worry about flying in one?

Big article in LA times.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-robinson-helicopters/

Robinsons have a high accident rate because they are predominantly flown by low time pilots. Mast bumping is a known issue with Robinsons and all two bladed helicopters (Bell 206s, Hueys, etc).

Bell 206s and Hueys, conversely, are usually flown by more experienced pilots (operating costs factor into it) and have a much lower accident rate. There was a period of time many years ago when the Bell 206 held the distinction of being the safest single engine aircraft in the world - fixed wing or rotor.

Robinsons are about as reliable as Hondas or Toyotas but when you get up close to them and compare the contruction to a Bell, MD, or Airbus (Eurocopter) you can see where the cost savings come in, it’s just not the same. Having saiid all that, as long as your pilot has plenty of Robinson time and his head is screwed on straight, you’ll be fine.

I got my rating in a R44. Loads of fun and the safety issues are drilled into your head from the beginning. The reason this came up is because of that recent crash which was caused by pilot error. He hit the awning as he lifted off, but the fuel tank ruptured on impact, so probably could have been survivable if that didn't happen.

Both Kurt and Marc are right on the money.

I fly in a friend of mine's R44 every few months, He is meticulous about maintenance, has over a thousand hours in the R (and many thousands more in other rotary aircraft) and is always ahead of the aircraft.

As long as you operate the R in the flight parameters they specify, is is a fun, safe helicopter to fly.

What is mast bumping?

Rotor angle exceeding its limits.

I guess the closest car analogy would be a combination of steering angle and suspension movement rubbing the tire into the wheel well.

Without getting too technical, Mast Bumping is when the rotor system (of a two bladed helicopter) becomes “unloaded” during a low G situation. The weight of the aircraft is no longer suspended beneath the rotor system; the hub and blades. If there is any left or right roll of the aircraft during this time and the pilot attempts to correct, the unloaded rotor hub can strike the mast up to the point of breaking it clean off.

The point being don’t get into a low G scenario in the first place in a two bladed helicopter and if you do, recover with the correct control inputs (gentle aft cyclic).

Long version:

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Shorter version:

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Lots of different types of rotor systems - I could bore you all to tears!

ALL aircraft have limitations. Exceed those limitations at your own risk. The Robinson helicopters had some problems early on in development with rotor blade delamination. Most of their problems were worked out years ago. As previously stated before, most accidents are the result of poor judgment and/or inexperienced pilots.