Sky Rangers Park Flyer Remote Control Airplanes Recalled to Prevent Injury

A large number of remote controlled airplanes have been recalled by the Estes-Cox Corporation because some of them have exploded, causing various head, chest, eye, and hand injuries. According to a press release issued on Tuesday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 21,000 Sky Rangers Park Flyer Radio Control Airplanes have been recalled and customers are urged to stop using them immediately.

It states that there have been 45 reports of the remote control airplanes exploding, with injuries including minor burns (five reports) and eye injuries (two reports). The most common effect (reported by twenty-two customers) was temporary pain in ears or affected hearing. It also indicates that the airplanes were sold by retailers nationwide September '05 through December '06. They are launched by hand, which can cause the explosion to occur near the customer's head.

The press release indicates that the remote control airplane has a wingspan of approximately fourteen inches, light blue, orange and white coloration, and includes a black-colored battery charger. It also states that there is a copper coil on the plane's rudder. It requests customers to contact the Estes-Cox Corporation for details on returning the remote control airplanes, and can visit their website (estesrockets.com) for more information.

According to the Estes website, which provides some additional details on the recall, the explosion is caused by hydrogen gas being generated by the airplane's rechargeable battery. In some instances the gas is unable to escape and is ignited by the plane's power switch. The website also indicates that the airplane's model number is printed on its box and instructions, but not the plane itself; however, it provides details on how to identify the recalled model and the devices included with it. By following instructions on the website, customers can exchange the recalled airplane model for a new replacement unit.

The Estes website states that Estes Industries was founded in 1958 and began selling model rockets through the mail in 1960. It became the Estes-Cox Corporation in 1996 when Cox model airplanes joined their product line. In addition to radio controlled airplanes and model rockets, they also offer rocket-powered toy race cars and a few other items.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which cooperated with Estes-Cox to issue the recall, is in charge of protecting the American public from dangerous products which may cause death or injury, according to their website.

Sources:

1. CPSC, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07250.html
2. Estes, http://www.estesrockets.com/4116qa.php
3. Estes, http://www.estesrockets.com/history.php
4. CPSC, http://www.cpsc.gov/about/about.html