Key takeaways:
- A helicopter crash near Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast resulted in three deaths and two injuries; the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation and went down about 100 yards offshore.
- Multiple emergency agencies responded quickly, rescuing two survivors who were taken to Wilcox Medical Center, while the identities of the victims remain undisclosed.
- The FAA and NTSB have launched an investigation into the crash amid ongoing severe weather in Hawaii, with no cause released yet.
A helicopter crash off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, resulted in three fatalities and two injuries on Thursday afternoon, authorities reported. The incident occurred near Kalalau Beach, located on the Na Pali Coast on Kauai’s north shore. The helicopter, operated by Airborne Aviation, was carrying one pilot and four passengers when it went down approximately 100 yards offshore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Emergency response teams from multiple agencies, including the Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, American Medical Response, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Kauai Police Department, quickly mobilized to the scene. The Kauai Fire Department deployed its Air 1 helicopter crew and officers on jet skis to assist in the rescue efforts. Two survivors were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment, while three others were confirmed dead. The identities of the victims have not been released.
Coast Guard Commander Andrew Williams expressed condolences for the loss of life and extended thoughts to the survivors and their families. “We are greatly saddened by the loss of three lives in this helicopter crash and thinking of those individuals’ families and friends,” Williams said. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami also acknowledged the coordinated response from local and federal agencies, emphasizing the community’s commitment to treating all visitors as part of the island family. “Our first responders respond with that spirit in mind,” Kawakami stated.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead. Helicopter tours are a common way to explore the Na Pali Coast’s rugged cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls, which are otherwise accessible only by hiking or boat. The crash comes amid a period of severe weather in Hawaii, where recent “kona low” cyclones have caused historic flooding and damage across several islands, including Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the crash, and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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