Accident Overview
On February 20, 2025, about 1110 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Cessna 172M airplane, registration N19867, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kapolei, Hawaii. The flight instructor and student pilot reported minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor, after the student pilot completed six touch-and-go landings on runway 4L at Kalaeloa Airport (PHJR), the flight instructor took control of the airplane while on downwind to demonstrate a power-off, 180-degree landing on runway 4L. As the instructor maneuvered the airplane from downwind to base leg and then to final approach, he heard the tower controller clear a Boeing C-17 Globemaster airplane for takeoff on runway 4R. The flight instructor reported that after touchdown on runway 4L, he retracted the flaps and began another takeoff. As the airplane passed through about 100 ft agl, the airplane rolled abruptly to the left and the nose pitched down sharply. The flight instructor said he was able to level the wings and partially arrest the rapid descent just before the main landing gear wheels struck the surface of an adjacent taxiway, which subsequently bounced the airplane back into the air. During the collision, the airplane’s windshield shattered, which in turn removed the flight instructor’s headset. As the airplane became airborne again, and to avoid a collision with a building and a stand of trees, the instructor pilot elected to go around. During the go-around, the flight instructor told the student pilot to declare an emergency and prepare for an emergency landing at PHJR. A subsequent emergency landing was accomplished on runway 22R at PHJR.
Damage and Response
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. The wreckage has been moved to a secure location pending further examination.