Hobbico Inc. Recalls Batteries Used In Radio-Controlled Helicopters

August 20, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, IN COOPERATION WITH THE FIRM NAMED BELOW, TODAY ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONSUMER PRODUCT. CONSUMERS SHOULD STOP USING RECALLED PRODUCTS IMMEDIATELY UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED.

NAME OF PRODUCT: BATTERIES USED IN RADIO-CONTROLLED HELICOPTER KITS

UNITS: ABOUT 11,000

IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR: HOBBICO INC., OF CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

HAZARD: THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY CAN OVERHEAT AND CATCH FIRE WHILE CHARGING, IGNITING NEARBY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS. THIS POSES A FIRE HAZARD TO CONSUMERS.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: HOBBICO HAS RECEIVED 28 REPORTS OF BATTERIES OVERHEATING AND/OR MELTING, INCLUDING 27 REPORTS OF FLAMES AND MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

DESCRIPTION: THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE ELECTRIFLY LITHIUM-POLYMER BATTERIES (PART #GPMP0401) SOLD INDIVIDUALLY OR WITH THE HELI-MAX AXE CP-L RADIO-CONTROLLED HELICOPTER KITS. THE KIT INCLUDES A 23-INCH LONG PLASTIC HELICOPTER, A BATTERY, A RADIO TRANSMITTER, A BALANCE CHARGER, A CAR ADAPTER, AN AC WALL ADAPTER, DECALS THAT READ “HMX”, “AXE” AND “HELI-MAX” AND TRAINING GEAR. “ELECTRIFLY” AND “GPMP0401” ARE PRINTED ON THE BATTERY.

SOLD AT: HOBBY STORES NATIONWIDE AND ONLINE FROM NOVEMBER 2007 THROUGH MARCH 2008 FOR ABOUT $35. THE HELICOPTER KITS WERE SOLD FOR $200.

MANUFACTURED IN: CHINA

REMEDY: CONSUMERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE RECALLED BATTERIES AND CONTACT HOBBICO FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON RETURNING THEIR BATTERY FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT BATTERY.

CONSUMER CONTACT: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT HOBBICO TOLL-FREE AT (866) 462-2426 FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. CT MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OR VISIT THE COMPANY’S RECALL WEB SITES AT WWW.HELIMAXRC.COM OR WWW.ELECTRIFLY.COM TO REGISTER FOR THE RECALL