Robinson R22 Beta accident near Kona, Hawaii, September 18, 2004
On September 18, 2004, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter), registered N22XM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kona, Hawaii (Kona International Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the CFI's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and main rotor rpm, and his improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was the CFI's diverted attention.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2004
- Place
- Kona, Hawaii · Kona International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · all R22 Betas on the register
- Registration
- N22XM · no longer on the register · serial 3077
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter experienced a hard landing, resulting in the main rotor blades severing the tail boom. While the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were executing a practice autorotation, the main rotor low revolutions per minute horn began to sound. He also realized that the airspeed had decreased 10 knots below the minimum speed for autorotations. The CFI lowered the collective while pushing the carburetor heat control knob in the "off" position. As the CFI leaned forward to assess the knob position, he felt the helicopter begin to settle. With the ground approaching quickly, he configured the helicopter it in a level attitude, fearing that if he flared, the tail boom would contact the surface first. The helicopter hit the surface hard and the main rotor severed the tail boom. The CFI stated that he did not know of any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 692 hours in all; 692 in this make and model; 217 in the last 90 days; 76 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 19 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hawaii Pacific Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: KOA Kona HI
- Destination: KOA Kona HI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.