HCI Helmet Recalls

Helmet City, Inc. (HCI) was an importer and worldwide distributor of motorcycle helmets, operated by President Al Sobel. In 2014 and 2015, OVSC conducted testing on various sizes of the HCI 100 and HCI 115 motorcycle helmets. All of the helmets tested failed some aspect of the compliance tests, including failures of impact attenuation tests. On September 23, 2015, NHTSA sent HCI Information Request letters containing reports showing testing failures for model 100 (sizes M and XL) and model 115 (size XL). On October 21, 2015, HCI's attorney indicated that HCI was "looking into doing a Part 573 report" for the subject helmets. After some additional correspondence between NHTSA and HCI - including NHTSA reminding HCI of the five-working day deadline to submit a Part 573 Safety Recall Report NHTSA received HCI's response to the information requests on November 12, 2015. Ultimately, on February 2, 2016, HCI submitted two Part 573 Safety Recall Reports to NHTSA for non-compliance in HCI helmet model 100 (sizes M and XL), Recall 16E-008, and model 115 (size XL), recall 16E-010. On April 13, 2016, NHTSA opened this AQ to investigate the timeliness of HCI's non-compliance determination and the scope of the 2016 recalls. The AQ was also opened to investigate and review HCI's compliance with reporting requirements under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Prior to NHTSA opening the AQ, Darsan Trading (established in February 2016) had purchased the inventory and trademark of HCI. It is NHTSA's understanding that the predecessor company originally responsible for the recall no longer legally exists. Darsan, the successor company, has thus far been forthcoming and cooperative with NHTSA, including taking over responsibility for and completing the quarterly reporting requirements for the aforementioned HCI recalls. The agency has concluded that continuing this investigation into HCI is not warranted and that this investigation should be closed. Closure of this AQ d