Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Kona, Hawaii, May 25, 2010
On May 25, 2010 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N220PE, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kona, Hawaii (Kona International airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's improper use of the anti-torque controls and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2010 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kona, Hawaii · Kona International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N220PE · no longer on the register · serial 2972
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during the student helicopter pilot’s second solo flight when he attempted to take off. Both the student pilot and his flight instructor, who witnessed the accident, reported that the student pilot applied too much left anti-torque pedal as the collective was raised for the takeoff. The helicopter slid to the left off of the landing pad, then spun to the left with its skids on the ground three times before lifting about two feet into the air and spinning left three more times. The student pilot said that he attempted to reduce collective, but the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin and tail. The student pilot said that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Roll over during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Student pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 21 hours in all; 21 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,642 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 20, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C1F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hawaii Pacific Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: PHKO Kona HI at 5:30 pm
- Destination: PHKO Kona HI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from PHKO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.