Robinson R44 accident near Kaneohe, Hawaii, October 23, 2018
On October 23, 2018 at about 3:10 am local time, a 2015 Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N4132H, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Kaneohe, Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air S airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed heart condition during flight, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2018 · about 3:10 am local time
- Place
- Kaneohe, Hawaii · Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air S · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 Undesignat, built 2015 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N4132H · no longer on the register · serial 2403
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter briefly lost consciousness during the air tour flight and began preparing for a precautionary landing. Shortly thereafter, he lost consciousness again and was awakened by first responders following the accident. The pilot and both passengers sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Following a mitral valve replacement about 6 years before the accident, the pilot had been required to provide periodic cardiovascular evaluations to the Federal Aviation Administration to maintain his medical certification, and his cardiologist reported that his valve was in good condition and had placed no restrictions on his activities. During the hospital stay following the accident, the pilot experienced complete heart block, which required the placement of a permanent pacemaker. Therefore, it is likely that, during the flight, the pilot experienced a sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed heart condition. Based on the medical findings, the pilot’s sudden incapacitation from complete heart block would not have been predicted.
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
- Medical event during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Predisposing condition › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Cardiovascular › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,878 hours in all; 1,451 in this make and model; 273 in the last 90 days; 176 in the last 30 days; 2,791 as pilot in command; 733 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 3, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,557 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 13, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 1,557 hours total
- Operator: Novictor Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: PHNL Honolulu HI at 2:47 am
- Destination: PHNL Honolulu HI
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:57 am from PHNG, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on March 3, 2022. 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 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Operator Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | News Video-survivor's Statements | video | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array of Recovered Wreckage-courtesy of the FAA | PDF, 5 pages | 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.