NTSB: “This tragedy should never have occurred.” Update on Hawaii Helicopter Tours and Visitor Safety.
65 thoughts on “Pilot + FAA Faulted in “100% Preventable” Tragedy | Hawaii Helicopter Tours”
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Does this Helecopter article impact my decision to book a tour? Absolutely. I grew up in the islands and am very familiar with these accidents. The noise in residential areas disrupt the otherwise tranquility we all want to experience. When asked for my advise of mainland friends about where to go and what to see, helicopter tours are not on the list. There are many wonderful things to see that are only possible from the air, but one must research carefully the companies, their helicopters and the skill of their pilots. And I remind them of the very extreme weather patterns and sudden changes that can and do occur here.
I’ve maintained since leaving the Marine Corps and spending time in helicopters that flying around in helicopters is an unnatural death wish. Someone else’s carelessness and in this case, the failure of a government regulatory agency in enforcing safety measures means you’ve given control for your safety to strangers with whom you have no history nor acquaintance. Life has risks for sure, but why take unnecessary ones. Hawaii is beautiful from the ground and that’s where I’ll keep my feet.
We took an “open door” helicopter tour in January with Jack Harter Helicopters knowing the risks involved and we gladly accepted those risks. It was an exhilarating experience and would like to do it again someday. From riding in helicopter or a car or an airplane or just walking down the street, life is full of risks and if you’re not willing to accept them, you’ll miss out on a lot in life.
Back in a previous run at this subject, some presented the importance of experienced pilots using lots of hours. Back around 2000, I found our tour pilots had 10000 to 20k hours often with military experience. In reading this report, pilot had a ton experience; wasn’t he the senior pilot? I think the NTSB assigning blame on the pilot and the FAA is just a repeat of many copter and fixed-wing aircraft. So, what are the safety requirements and how to enforce them. Perhaps the structure should give the NTSB more power and avoid having the inherent conflict of the FAA with its dual mission of promoting air travel and safety. Thank you for the update. I’ve had multiple tours on Blue Hawaiian, Jack Harter, Manoa Loa, Air Kauai.
In late 80’s my wife and I were on Kaui and had scheduled a helicopter trip. That morning was “socked in” and we were told to call back later. When we called back they said the weather was getting better and we should get to the airport. On the ride from Poipu Beach to Lihui we heard that one of the Trump Organization helicopters crashed on the Garden State Parkway. We looked at each other in the car and decided that the odds of 2 helicopter crashes meant that we should go on the flight. We went and had a great time dropping down into Waimea Canyon and up the Na Pali coast.
Aloha and thanks for this in depth report. We have flown Blue Hawaiian exclusively for each of our tours on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai. One of us, me, was totally paranoid on our first tour. Once the tingling stopped, I couldn’t wait to go again and again and again. We’ve had great experiences with Blue Hawaiian. Honestly, if it’s your time, it could happen crossing the street.
I have been traveling to Hawaii for the past 50 years. I will not take a helicopter ride in Hawaii. I once took one to Catalina. Too many accidents.
A typical airplane with engine failure can often glide into some kind of a landing. Not so, in a helicopter.
This is not accurate. Autorotation is the way in which helicopters or rotary winged aircraft can make an emergency landing if they have lost main rotor power. It is a required technique for single engine helicopters in order to obtain a type rating certificate. It is also practiced often as it can be a needed skill.
For reference see USA Federal Aviation Regulations, § 27.71 Autorotation Performance.
Even though the Federal Aviation Regulations allow rotor craft pilots to fly in 1-mile visibility, the pilot should have adhered to the FAR for VFR minimums (3-mile visibility and clear of clouds) for fixed winged operations. Pilots risk spatial disorientation as well as collisions if they ignore these rules.
As a senior citizen who cannot hike Hawaii’s trails, I am glad that there are alternate ways to see the islands. Over the years,I have enjoyed Blue Hawaiian and Sunshine helicopter rides to admire the Na Pali coastline, as well as the topography of Hawaii Island and Maui. I rely on the business owners to provide up to date pilot training. The FAA and local government agencies, regardless of ever-unpopular regulations, need to drill the “safety first” mantra into its edicts, and work collaboratively with business owners for win-win results.