3 Killed in Tourist Helicopter Crash Off Hawaii’s Kauai Coast/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A tourist helicopter crashed near Kauai’s remote Kalalau Beach, killing three people. Two survivors were rescued and transported to a local hospital. Federal investigators are probing the sightseeing helicopter crash.
Kauai Helicopter Crash + Quick Looks
- Tourist helicopter crashed near Kalalau Beach
- Three killed, two injured in Hawaii crash
- Helicopter carried pilot and four passengers
- Crash occurred Thursday afternoon off Kauai
- Remote Na Pali Coast accessible only by boat or hike
- NTSB and FAA investigating incident
- Helicopter operated by Airborne Aviation tours
- Rescue coordinated by Coast Guard and local agencies
Deep Look: Three Killed in Kauai Tourist Helicopter Crash
HANALEI, Hawaii — A tourist helicopter crashed near a remote beach along the Hawaiian island of Kauai, killing three people and injuring two others, authorities said Friday as federal investigators began examining the incident.
The helicopter, carrying one pilot and four passengers, crashed Thursday afternoon near Kalalau Beach along Kauai’s rugged Na Pali Coast, according to the Kauai Fire Department. The isolated location is accessible only by hiking trails or by boat, complicating rescue operations.
Officials confirmed that three people died in the crash. Two survivors were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment. Authorities have not yet released details about the victims or the condition of those injured.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash occurred just before 5 p.m. Thursday off Kauai’s north shore. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Friday that it has opened an investigation into the crash involving a Hughes/MD 500 helicopter.
Investigators said they plan to gather information about the flight and examine the helicopter once it is recovered from the water.
“They will begin gathering information surrounding the flight and plan to examine the helicopter once it is recovered from the water,” the NTSB said in a statement.
Authorities identified the aircraft as being operated by Airborne Aviation, a company that offers sightseeing tours over Kauai’s dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and coastline. The company advertises a “doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour” that accommodates up to four passengers.
Requests for comment from the company were not immediately returned.
Helicopter tours are a popular attraction on Kauai, especially along the Na Pali Coast, where steep cliffs and limited road access make aerial sightseeing one of the most accessible ways to view the island’s natural features.
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami praised the coordinated rescue effort involving federal and local agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, police, fire, and ocean safety teams.
“Here on Kauai, whenever somebody puts their feet on our soil, they’re one of ours, we treat them like one of ours, they’re a part of our family, and our first responders respond with that spirit in mind,” Kawakami said in an interview with Hawaii News Now.
The crash follows another deadly helicopter accident on Kauai in July 2024. In that incident, the pilot and two passengers were killed when a tour helicopter broke apart mid-flight after encountering turbulence. Investigators later determined that the aircraft’s rotor blades struck the airframe, leading to the fatal crash.
Federal investigators will now examine weather conditions, mechanical performance, pilot experience, and other factors that may have contributed to Thursday’s crash.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding sightseeing helicopter tours, which remain popular among visitors seeking aerial views of Hawaii’s remote landscapes.
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