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WPR10CA262

2010-05-25 · Kona, Hawaii, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PHKO

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's improper use of the anti-torque controls and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The accident occurred during the student 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 and then spun to the left. The witness reported that the helicopter spun to the left with its skids on the ground three times, then lifted about two feet into the air and spun 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 there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-(general)-Student pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-(general)-Incorrect use/operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_WPR10CA262.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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