Horizon Hobby Recalls Remote Controlled Model Helicopters Due to Injury Hazard

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Jan 28, 2014, 09:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

Recall Summary

Name of products: Blade 500 X BNF and Blade 500 3D RTF and BNF Remote Controlled Model Helicopters

Hazard: The tail rotor grip used for securing the tail rotor blade to the tail rotor hub can separate and release from the helicopter, posing a risk of a crash and injury hazard.

Remedy: Replace

Consumer Contact: Horizon Hobby toll-free at (877) 504-0233 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. CT Sunday, or online at www.horizonhobby.com, and click on Product Recalls listed under "Legal" at the bottom of the page for more information.

Photo available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Horizon-Hobby-Recalls-Remote-Controlled-Model-Helicopters/

Recall Details

Units: About 1,980 in the U.S. and 200 in Canada

Description The recall involves Blade 500 X BNF and Blade 500 3D BNF and RTF Remote Controlled Model Helicopters with model numbers BLH 1800, BLH 1800M1, BLH 1850, and BLH 4080. The helicopters are about 33.5 inches long and 11.8 inches tall and weigh about 4 lbs. The canopy of the 500 X has the "500 X" logo on each side. The canopy of the 500 3D has the "500 3D" logo on each side. The tail rotor grip for each model is a black plastic holder that holds the tail rotor blades of the helicopter in place. The grips are approximately 1 ¼ inches tall and ½ inch wide.

Incidents/Injuries: None

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled radio-controlled helicopters and contact Horizon Hobby for a replacement tail grip and instructions for installation.

Sold at: Hobby stores nationwide and at www.horizonhobby.com. Models BLH 1800, BLH 1800M1 and BLH 1850 were sold from December 2012 through September 2013; and Models BLH 1850 and BLH 4080 were sold from May 2013 through September 2013. Prices range from $600 to $900.

Importer: Horizon Hobby Inc., of Champaign, Ill.

Manufacturer: Shenzen Shen's Tongchuang Aeronautic Model Co., Ltd. of China

Manufactured in: China

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2014/37741r-eng.php

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission