A brand of 50 years , aircraft recognizable by its upturned wingtips, the Robin DR400 was a common name for 5 decades. Robin produced a variety of models, including the all-metal HR200 and the CAP 10, in these years.
But, all that seems to face the dark clouds with the current development of Liquidation order from a Commercial Court. Is this the end of a story that began in the workshops of Darois, near Dijon?
Let's go back to February 22nd 2023, Casimir Pellissier, president of Robin Aircraft, reported on the manufacturer's website "delivery delays" to customers "due to temporary administrative difficulties", which could have been an indication of technical problems raised by the OSAC.
Subsequently, the company placed itself under the protection of the Commercial Court of Dijon, asking to benefit from the favourable safeguard regime.
On 15 March, the same signatory published a second official press release following the EASA Airworthiness Directive, evoking the limitations imposed on the aircraft concerned, including the 25 "grounded" so far, all of which can fly again but with a reduced VNO from 260 to 230 km/h and stalls only with an instructor on board.
Robin Aircraft announced at the time that it was working with the authorities "to find a definitively favourable outcome to this case in the coming weeks". Three companies , those were interested on a takeover, had to see a red tape, as court rejected their proposals, with the fear of viability.
Come September 19th, the Commercial Court of Dijon converted the safeguard procedure into a receivership procedure without a finding of a state of insolvency. The Court ordered the judicial liquidation of Robin Aircraft with immediate cessation of activity. A director was then appointed to assist the company in all matters relating to management.
The Parisian receiver , SCP Abitbol-Rousselet, which has been accompanying this manufacturer of wooden passenger planes based in Darois, near Dijon, since it was placed in receivership in September, had launched a search for buyers.
The judgment, dated November 16, 2023 and published on November 21, the Commercial Court of Dijon issued the initial notice of the judicial liquidation, appointing a liquidator and putting an end to the administrator's mission.
To add to the story, in the turmoil since the end of 2022 with new problems with the spars, the Dijon aircraft manufacturer had to lay off some of its employees before placing itself under the protection of the commercial court.
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