Defective model airplanes are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced.
The Blade mCP X Bind-N Fly and Ready to Fly Remote Control Model Helicopters and replacement Blade mCP X Main Blade Grips with Bearings, which were manufactured in China and imported by Horizon Hobby, Inc., of Champaign, Illinois, are involved. About 16,600 defective model airplanes are being recalled in the U.S. and another 1,300 are being recalled in Canada.
The main blade grips and main rotor blades can release from the main rotor head, posing an impact and laceration hazard. To date, Horizon Hobby has received 312 reports of the rotor blades releasing from the rotor head, including 34 reports of a blade striking a user, resulting in 12 laceration injuries.
Blade ultra-micro indoor/outdoor helicopters have red and blue canopies with the name “Blade mCP X” printed on both sides. The model numbers are printed on the underside of the products’ boxes with the bar code. The following products are involved in this recall:
• Bind-N-Fly Helicopter: Length 9.65 inches, model number BLH3580
• Ready to Fly Helicopter (transmitter included): Length 9.65 inches, model number BLH3500
• Main Blade Grips with Bearings (replacement part): Rotor Diameter .6 inches, model number BLH3514
The recalled model airplanes were sold at retailers nationwide during March 2011 for $180 to $220 for the model helicopters and $10 for the replacement part.
The agencies advise consumers to contact Horizon Hobby for free replacement of main rotor grips and do-it-yourself instructions. The Horizon Hobby Support Team can be reached, toll-free, at 1.877.504.0233 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Central Time (CT), Monday through Friday; between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., CT, on Saturdays; and between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. The firm can also be reached at its website at www.bladehelis.com/MCPX.
