In a tragic incident that occurred Thursday July 11, on a gusty afternoon, a Kauai helicopter crashed into the ocean fronting the Hanakoa Valley along the iconic Na Pali Coast, where tour helicopters are often seen. The crash has resulted in multi-agency mobilization, and continue to receive and update this with official word and information from the coconut wireless here on Kauai.
Further updates are found here.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash.
Officials have confirmed that the crash was reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. today, July 11. As of 4:30 p.m., there were no updates regarding victims or injuries. The helicopter involved in the crash was not owned or operated by the County of Kauai.
Reports indicate that the aircraft was a Robinson R44 helicopter owned by Alii Air Tours and Charters, based in Lihue. That company says it offers “private Kauai helicopter tours” and has been in business for 32 years.
According to officials, including Kauai’s mayor, the following agencies have been called in: the U.S. Coast Guard, the Kauai Fire Rescue 3 onboard Air 1, the Kauai and Hawaii Emergency Management Agencies, the Kauai Police Department, and the Ocean Safety Bureau.
Updates:
5:30 pm.: A hiker reported witnessing the helicopter crash which had three people on board.
5:50 pm. Coconut wireless confirms that the aircraft has been identified, and that one person is confirmed dead and two others still remain missing.
8:15 pm. The ongoing Kauai County search efforts for the two others missing has been called off until Friday morning. The Coast Guard will work through the evening. The FAA has implemented temporary flight restrictions in the area. Based on hikers’ information, the accident may have occurred just before 1:00 pm, although police said they didn’t receive the information until 1:20 pm.
Recent helicopter crashes on Kauai.
Today’s incident marks the second helicopter crash on Kauai this year. The last crash occurred on February 27, 2024, when a helicopter went down on Honopu Beach, also along the Na Pali Coast.
That helicopter owned by Jack Harter crashed at Honopu Beach as it was carrying one pilot and four passengers. Although three passengers and the pilot were uninjured, one passenger suffered a back injury and was subsequently rescued by another Jack Harter helicopter. Harter is one of the longest standing Kauai helicopter tour operators.
Before the February incident, Hawaii had not seen a helicopter tour crash since June 2022, when a Paradise Helicopters tour crashed on the Big Island near Kau. That crash involved a Bell 407 helicopter, and while all on board survived, they sustained serious injuries.
Deadly 2019 Kauai helicopter crash.
The most severe recent helicopter crash in Hawaii occurred in 2019 on Kauai, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed that crash to the FAA’s failure to implement safety recommendations, compounded by poor weather and low visibility conditions. The pilot’s decision to proceed in deteriorating conditions was also cited as a critical factor.
Safety and weather challenges on Kauai helicopter tours.
While helicopter tours in Hawaii offer breathtaking views, they also face significant safety challenges due to the islands’ fast-changing weather conditions. The 2019 crash underscored the importance of adhering to visibility requirements and the potential dangers of overconfidence in adverse weather.
We know from our own experience how quickly conditions can change. On our Kauai helicopter tour, it was mostly sunny but then suddenly changed to rain and almost no visibility over the Na Pali Coast. The pilot quickly decided to turn back.
Our thoughts are with the passengers and their families during this difficult time.
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Stop island helicopter tours. How many people have to die? This has been an issue for years!
Our thoughts are with the families.
We live in Upper Kapahi with a view of Makaleha, and witness the mountain becoming a helicopter highway, when rain doesn’t permit Na Pali and North shore flying. We frequently see helicopters fly very close to the mountain, often entering clouds and are amazed, that there hasn’t been a crash in that location yet. Conditions in this extremely rainy part of the island, very close to Waialeale change in an instance, there are constantly dangerous rescue operations of hikers, who didn’t check the weather report. I have no doubt the views on a flight are breath taking, waterfalls and rainbows, but without instrumentation, it would appear to be very risky.
My hope and prayers for all involved and their families…
Best Regards
I have a good PI lawyer friend, who has said, he would stay away from both motorcycles and helicopters because the crash numbers are very high and it’s very likely you will be involved in an accident.
Stop allowing helicopter tours along the Napali. It’s very dangerous and extremely annoying.
Agree with you, Bobby. Never understood why people are paying for this. Even less comprehensible in Maui …more expensive than flying with a commuter plane from Kapalua to Honolulu flying over Molokai and Lanai.
With this many crashes you think the FAA would be stepping in to stop this
Bobby –
Right on. I feel bad for the deceased, but I absolutely hate those helicopters. They are extremely loud and blow out whatever conversation you may be trying to have on the ground below them. I’ve hiked that trail out to the valley dozens of times, and helicopters are the worst part. We live in the Wainiha-Haena neighborhood, and I cannot hear myself on client phone calls when they go by 6-10 times a day.
I hear on the co-co wireless that the pilot was married to a woman in the artist community on north shore. Sometimes it’s a small island …
How sad that people need to die before this gets any attention
This is so sad and pur deepest condolences go out to the families and friends
There are strict regulations for helicoptor tours pertaining to flying over neighborhoods;however, there are no such restrictions for small plane tours which operate multiple times dsily between two companies out of Lihue Airport. They fly directly over the densely-populated town of Kalaheo in route to the Na Pali Coast.
Not only is there a noise issue, there is a Huge safety concern!
These crashes are more common than shark attacks (I haven’t seen one yet in 25 years) , but you I never hear about any warnings. Maybe because they pay a small fortune ..Hiking and swimming are free and better for your health and the environment. I actually heard some talk about stopping those helicopter tours in Kauai, but that was probobably after the previous crash.
At some point, people need to stop flying Robinsons.
Exactly.
Praying for everyone involved and their ohana
That is a lot of crashes in a very short period of time,
My heart dropped when I saw this. My deepest sympathy for all who were on board. Hopefully no one died. But until we know more, all we can do is pray. Stay safe everyone please.
They said one confirmed dead.