Overview
- Three people died after an Airborne Aviation tour helicopter went down Thursday near Kalalau Beach with one pilot and four passengers aboard.
- Bystanders and Kauai crews pulled two survivors from a sandbar about 100 yards offshore and took them to Wilcox Medical Center.
- Kauai police, fire and emergency management worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, American Medical Response and Hawaii’s land agency in a coordinated sea and air response.
- The NTSB opened an investigation into the reported Hughes OH-6/MD-500 helicopter and plans to examine the wreck once it is recovered, with the FAA notified.
- Officials have not released the names or a cause, and the Na Pali Coast’s limited access makes tour flights common and rescue operations complex.