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NTSB Report

March 23, 2006 · Robinson R-22B · N203DH

Kailua-Kona, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kailua-Kona, HI
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N203DH
Operator
Mauna Loa Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC06LA028

The certificated flight instructor was providing hovering instruction to a student in a skid-equipped helicopter under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The helicopter began to settle while drifting to the left, and the left skid contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic roll over. The helicopter rolled onto its left side and received structural damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The student pilot had received about 3 hours of initial helicopter instruction at the time of the accident. In his written statement to the NTSB, the flight instructor noted that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining a higher hover altitude, and by earlier intervention to the student's deviations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action while conducting hover practice with a student pilot, which resulted in the helicopter contacting the ground and rolling over. A factor contributing to the accident was an inadvertent dynamic roll over.

Full Narrative

On March 23, 2006, about 0845 Hawaiian standard time, a skid-equipped Robinson R-22B helicopter, N203DH, sustained substantial damage when it rolled over while hovering at the Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was operated by Hawaii Pacific Aviation Inc., doing business as Mauna Loa Helicopters, Kailua. The certificated flight instructor and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 23, the owner of the company reported that the student pilot was practicing hovering with the flight instructor aboard. The instructor told the owner that the helicopter began to settle while drifting to the left. The helicopter's left skid contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic roll over. The helicopter rolled onto its left side, and received structural damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The student pilot had received about 3 hours of initial helicopter instruction at the time of the accident. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, Page 10 contains an optional portion titled, Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?). The flight instructor wrote, "Maintain higher hover altitude for initial hover practice," and "Intervene earlier to deviations."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 HST
Nearest AirportKona International Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN203DH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMauna Loa Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 40 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data