GUIDES · UPDATED AUG 3, 2026
Why the Lift Point Matters in a Helicopter Recovery
APEX HELICOPTERS, AUTHORIZED ROBINSON DEALER & SERVICE CENTER
Robinson designs an airframe to carry load through specific hoist points. Lift from anywhere else and you run the risk of crushing, twisting, or side-loading the structure the accident left intact, which is how a careless recovery doubles the repair bill.
Can any crane company lift a helicopter?
Physically, yes. Correctly, no. The crane is the easy part; knowing where the aircraft can take the load is the whole job. A general rigging crew treats a Robinson like freight. An authorized service center treats it like the airframe it is, and we are the ones who will inspect and assess it afterward, so we have every reason to protect it.
Where can a Robinson be lifted?
At the factory-specified hoist points only, primarily, when applicable, by the main rotor hub, using an RHC proprietary tool. Robinson publishes the structure and limitations in its maintenance manuals and official publications, APEX does not host those technical documents, but our mechanics work to them daily.
What happens if you lift from the wrong place?
- A skid tube used as a lift point bends the gear and the strut fittings
- A sling on the tailcone twists or kinks the monocoque
- A repairable aircraft becomes a total loss, and the bill lands on whoever moved it
How does an authorized service center rig a recovery?
Document first, rig to factory points, disassemble in the right order, blades, then mast, then tailcone, and transport secured. It is the same discipline we bring to a pre-buy inspection: the value of the aircraft depends on it being handled by people who know it. See how a full recovery works.
Questions, answered
- My insurer suggested a local crane company. Should I use them?
A crane company can lift the aircraft, but it cannot tell you where to lift it. Ask APEX to handle the rigging and disassembly, we coordinate with your adjuster and protect the salvage value that the claim is built on.