Model Forum / General / Rockets / October 2008

For Immediate Release              Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 576-5811
September 28, 2007                 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
Release #07-For Clearance          CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

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. (To access
color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at
www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: X-15 Flying Model Rockets

Units: About 80,000

Manufacturer: Estes-Cox Corp., of Penrose, Colo.

Hazard: The model rocket’s side or engine retainer ring can separate and
cause the rocket to fall without the nose cone separating and the
parachute deploying, posing a risk of an impact injury to nearby consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Estes-Cox has received seven reports of the side or
engine retainer ring separating and the nose and parachute failing to
release and 25 reports of the retainer ring being lost during flight,
including one report that a consumer was struck in the arm, requiring
surgery.

Description: This recall involves the X-15 flying model rocket, a 1:44
scale version of the North American Aviation hypersonic rocket plane.
The model rockets are about 13.5-inches long and have a wingspan of
about 5 inches. The rockets are black and yellow, and have the number
66670 on the tail. The rockets were sold individually (item #1890) and
as part of a starter kit (item #1412). The item number is printed on the
product’s instruction sheet and above the bar code on the product’s
packaging.

Sold at: Hobby stores and other retailers nationwide from June 2005
through July 2007 for between $16 and $36.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled rockets immediately and
contact Estes-Cox for instructions on receiving a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Estes-Cox at (800)
576-5811 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit
the firm’s Web site at www.estesrockets.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more
than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.
 Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents
cost the nation more than $700 billion annually.  The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure
the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools,
cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly
to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated
with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or
visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain
this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.