11 thoughts on “Hawaii Helicopter Safety: 5 Critical Tips After Latest Crash”
Mia E
It really helped when you said that you should choose a company that is certified to ensure that they meet high requirements. As you said, we can check back on their website actually ask them about it. I will share this day with my husband because we wanted to try a helicopter tour for our anniversary this coming December. it will give us peace of mind regarding our safety for our first time in riding a helicopter.
Interesting that Blue Hawaiian is cited in #1 and has the certification in #2. I’ve commented before that the Safari incident was the senior pilot. A Jack Harter incident had a guy who did accident reviews when in the Navy and had like 12,000 hours. I flew on Maui with a pilot instructor who also flew the contract rescue copter. He had an incident near Molokai, but when I flew he was rock stable and conscientious. I had a newer pilot with less than 1000 hours on Kauai who was extremely methodical and often ignored the tour talk to focus. I’ve flown 15 times copters and 3 fixed-wing. I feel the most stable on the fixed-wing. I will fly the Robinson small 3 passengers only if it’s me and 1 other. The prices now are problematic, but booked.
Interesting article but 2 questions:
I wonder when taking all the islands into account how many tour bus or car fatalities have there been in last 40 years?
And did you guys do the due diligence before going on your flight?
We didn’t check numbers on bus or car fatalities, but obviously car fatalities in particular are a much greater number. Yes, we did our due diligence before flying. That didn’t mean it wasn’t scary, however.
There are two things that my PI lawyer friend has said, not to do. The first is riding in helicopters and the second is riding on motorcycles. Both have very high death rates.
7th. Hint never get into a Hawaiian sight seeing helicopter with a 40 to 50 plus year old pilot who “says don’t worry I’ve done this a thousand times before” because none of the recent deadly helicopter accidents have involved one of these guys.
Not trying to start gossip but I have also heard many of these outfits are owned on the mainland and face great pressure to make money so they will often go up regardless of good judgment saying otherwise.
I have done numerous tours over the years and loved them but may reconsider doing so again 🙁
My wife and I had a helicopter tour scheduled over Kaui. We were delayed in the morning due to weather and asked to call ack later. When we called back and were told that the weather improved and there should be great water volume on the waterfalls. On our way to Lihui we heard that one of the Trump organization’s helicopters crashed on the Garden State Parkway, NJ. We looked at each other and said what’s the percentage of 2 crashes on the same day. We had a great flight into Waimea Canyon and up the Na Pali Coast.
I’ve been to all the islands in Hawaii many times. Over 60 visits since I was 18. After spending time in helicopters in the Marine Corps, I vowed to never get in another one for the rest of my life. So far, it has worked and I’ve been able to see almost all the sights and views of this beautiful state that I want. The 6th hint for helicopter safety is, or should be: Never get in one.
Well, to be honest, we’ve done the helicopter tour on Kaui twice – and was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had! Having said that, will never do it again – scared the $hit out of me!
It really helped when you said that you should choose a company that is certified to ensure that they meet high requirements. As you said, we can check back on their website actually ask them about it. I will share this day with my husband because we wanted to try a helicopter tour for our anniversary this coming December. it will give us peace of mind regarding our safety for our first time in riding a helicopter.
Interesting that Blue Hawaiian is cited in #1 and has the certification in #2. I’ve commented before that the Safari incident was the senior pilot. A Jack Harter incident had a guy who did accident reviews when in the Navy and had like 12,000 hours. I flew on Maui with a pilot instructor who also flew the contract rescue copter. He had an incident near Molokai, but when I flew he was rock stable and conscientious. I had a newer pilot with less than 1000 hours on Kauai who was extremely methodical and often ignored the tour talk to focus. I’ve flown 15 times copters and 3 fixed-wing. I feel the most stable on the fixed-wing. I will fly the Robinson small 3 passengers only if it’s me and 1 other. The prices now are problematic, but booked.
Interesting article but 2 questions:
I wonder when taking all the islands into account how many tour bus or car fatalities have there been in last 40 years?
And did you guys do the due diligence before going on your flight?
Mahalo
Hi Kauaidoug.
We didn’t check numbers on bus or car fatalities, but obviously car fatalities in particular are a much greater number. Yes, we did our due diligence before flying. That didn’t mean it wasn’t scary, however.
Aloha.
There are two things that my PI lawyer friend has said, not to do. The first is riding in helicopters and the second is riding on motorcycles. Both have very high death rates.
7th. Hint never get into a Hawaiian sight seeing helicopter with a 40 to 50 plus year old pilot who “says don’t worry I’ve done this a thousand times before” because none of the recent deadly helicopter accidents have involved one of these guys.
Says Kobe
Not trying to start gossip but I have also heard many of these outfits are owned on the mainland and face great pressure to make money so they will often go up regardless of good judgment saying otherwise.
I have done numerous tours over the years and loved them but may reconsider doing so again 🙁
My wife and I had a helicopter tour scheduled over Kaui. We were delayed in the morning due to weather and asked to call ack later. When we called back and were told that the weather improved and there should be great water volume on the waterfalls. On our way to Lihui we heard that one of the Trump organization’s helicopters crashed on the Garden State Parkway, NJ. We looked at each other and said what’s the percentage of 2 crashes on the same day. We had a great flight into Waimea Canyon and up the Na Pali Coast.
I’ve been to all the islands in Hawaii many times. Over 60 visits since I was 18. After spending time in helicopters in the Marine Corps, I vowed to never get in another one for the rest of my life. So far, it has worked and I’ve been able to see almost all the sights and views of this beautiful state that I want. The 6th hint for helicopter safety is, or should be: Never get in one.
Hi Bob.
Thanks for number six. We both should have checked with you first.
Aloha.
Well, to be honest, we’ve done the helicopter tour on Kaui twice – and was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had! Having said that, will never do it again – scared the $hit out of me!