Robinson R44 accident near Kailua/Kona, Hawaii, August 26, 2016
On August 26, 2016 at about 5:45 pm local time, a 2005 Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N74805, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Kailua/Kona, Hawaii (Kona International Airport). It was a personal 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
An on-ground upset for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2016 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Kailua/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 R44 II, built 2005 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N74805 · no longer on the register · serial 10934
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During aninstructional flight in the helicopter, the pilot under instruction set up for anapproach and landing to a flat and smooth gravel road. Once the skids were on the ground, the pilot under instruction lowered the collective toward the FULL DOWN position. The helicopter then began to rock in a fore and aft motion. The flight instructor took the controls as the intensity of the rocking increased; the helicopter then ascended in uncontrollable flight. The flight instructor subsequently landed the helicopter on the gravel road; it came to rest upright about 20 to 30 ft and at a little more than a 45° angle from the initial touchdown point. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the helicopterrevealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the reported on-ground upset could not be determined.
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 landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 650 hours in all; 74 in this make and model; 126 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 565 as pilot in command; 395 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 2, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 198 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 128 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 24, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,747 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 14, 2016; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 5,747 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KOA Kailua/Kona HI at 5:40 pm
- Destination: KOA Kailua/Kona HI
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from HKO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 30, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Examination Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Robinson Helicopter Company Accident Report | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.