Robinson R22 BETA N22XM

Summary

On 18 September 2004 at about 00:45 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N22XM, operated by Hawaii Pacific Aviation, was involved in an accident near Kona, Hawaii, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 September 2004 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Kona, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Kona International Airport (KOA)

Coordinates

19.7386, -156.0456

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N22XM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Hawaii Pacific Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kona → Kona

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04CA321

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.