Robinson R44 accident near Wailuku, Hawaii, May 28, 2006
On May 28, 2006 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N555JD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wailuku, Hawaii (Private Residence airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty wind conditions that resulted in his failure to maintain proper alignment with the landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2006 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Wailuku, Hawaii · Private Residence · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N555JD · registry record · serial 0834
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The main rotor blades contacted a tree branch during an attempted landing and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. The pilot attempted to land in front of a private residence that he had not been to before. When the helicopter was approximately 1 foot above the ground, a gust of wind blew the helicopter to the side and the main rotor blades struck a nearby tree branch. The pilot immediately set the helicopter down on its skids; however, the area was slightly sloped, and the helicopter rolled over onto its left side. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight or the attempted landing. A nearby airport, 4 statute miles to the northeast of the accident site, reported winds from 060 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 24 knots during the time of the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 796 hours in all; 348 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 666 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HNL Honolulu HI at 9:00 pm
- Destination: Wailuku HI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from OGG, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N555JD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.