Unexplained crashes by Robinson helicopters justify a decision to put them on a safety watchlist, a former Civil Aviation Authority inspector says. The TAIC could now justify putting more of its resources into investigating Robinson crashes, for example into forensic engineering analysis. The Otago Daily Times contacted all helicopter operators in the Queenstown-Lakes area this week for comment on heightened public awareness of Robinsons’ safety. One operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said its Robinson R44 was a vital part of its fleet and a "fantastic machine" in the right conditions. Although aware of heightened public concern about Robinsons’ safety, the company was not considering taking its R44 out of service "at the moment".

Source: Otago Daily Times November 03, 2016 17:10 UTC