Estes Industries · Recalled
CPSC, Estes Industries Announce Recall of Air Powered Rockets
The rockets' foam tips can break off, exposing sharp edges that can cause face lacerations or eye injuries to consumers. The rocket systems also have weak pump handles that can break during use, posing a risk of hand lacerations to consumers.
- Units
- About 140,000
- Reports
- 68
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- —
- Price
- $20–$40
- Remedy
- See notice
Reports, injuries, deaths and price are read out of the notice’s wording by rules, so they can miss unusual phrasing. The official notice is the record.
Affected
The blue, yellow and black GL-X200™ Estes Air™ Powered Rocket Systems contain two blue rockets with yellow foam tips and are recommended for children 8 years of age and older. "ESTES AIR" is printed in black and white lettering in a 6-inch wide yellow oval on the front of the pump. Underneath the pump appear the words, "Made in China." Rocket pumps that have a label that reads, "WARNING: Stay away from rocket when pumping and launching" are not included in this recall.
The file
- Sold at
- Department stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Zany Brainy, as well as e-businesses, catalogers and hobby shops sold these rockets, from February 2001 through February 2002, for between $20 and $40.
- Product type
- Rockets
- Made in
- China
- Recalled by
- Estes Industries, of Penrose, Colo.
Incident log
Estes and CPSC have received 16 reports of rocket tips breaking off. Six children were struck in the face by the rockets, including two children who suffered detached retinas and four children who suffered lacerations that required stitches or sutures. There were 68 reports of broken pump handles, including six hand lacerations.
What the notice says to do
Consumers should stop using the air rockets immediately and contact Estes Industries for information on how to get a replacement rocket.
Consumers may call Estes Industries toll free at (800) 576-5811 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's website at www.estesrockets.com
Recall notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This site is independent: always confirm on the official notice before acting.
Notice first dated APR 18 2002; last revised SEP 09 2025.
