After reading about the tragic helicopter crash in Kailua, I cannot help but think that this particular helicopter company, which sells lower cost, non-turbine helicopters, shares the massive amount of the blame.

For years, Robinson R-44 helicopters have been involved in deadly crashes, some just a couple of feet off the ground. Look up “rotor chug” — it’s when the rotors strike the large mast and flex so hard that they cut off the tail or, worse, cut through the cockpit. Add in 40 gallons of fuel in unsealed tanks right behind the cabin, and disaster is sure to call.

Instead of fixes and solutions to the very known issue, the company chooses to downplay it as pilot error. Robinson has repeatedly ignored requests to make engineering changes to its helicopters. When it does make changes, it’s after a fatal accident. Instead of grounding the entire tour fleet, maybe the Robinson helicopters should be the focus instead.

Jay Vinton

Foster Village

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