A tragic helicopter crash occurred off the coast of Hawaii, near the island of Kauai. The helicopter, operated by a tour company called Ali’i Kauai Air Tours and Charters, went down in waters near the Na Pali coast on Thursday afternoon. The crash resulted in the death of at least one person, with two others reported missing.
The incident was reported around 1:20 p.m., approximately a quarter of a mile off the island’s northern shore, close to the Hanakoa Valley along the Na Pali Coast. The Kauai Police Department confirmed that one of the three individuals on board was found deceased about an hour later. The identities of the passengers were not immediately disclosed.
Hikers on the nearby Kalalau Trail witnessed the helicopter crash into the water and reported the incident to authorities. Despite challenging weather conditions with strong trade winds and low clouds, search and recovery operations were initiated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Police Department, and other agencies. The search efforts were paused at sundown but were set to continue overnight.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct investigations into the crash. The FAA spokesperson confirmed that the tour company, Ali’i Kauai Air Tours and Charters, did not provide a comment following the incident. The company’s website advertised private one-hour tours showcasing the Na Pali coastline and the island’s sea cliffs.
This unfortunate event is not the first of its kind in Hawaii, with the last fatal tourist helicopter crash occurring in 2019 off Kauai near Kekaha. In that incident, the pilot and six passengers lost their lives. The NTSB investigation revealed that the pilot had continued the tour despite worsening weather conditions, leading to the tragic crash.
As authorities work to determine the cause of the recent helicopter crash off Kauai, our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Stay tuned for updates on the ongoing investigation into this devastating incident.