A scenic helicopter tour turned deadly Thursday afternoon when an Airborne Aviation aircraft slammed into the ocean near Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s remote Na Pali Coast.
The chopper, carrying one pilot and four passengers, went down about 100 yards offshore around 3:45 p.m. local time after reports flooded in via text-to-911.
Kauai police confirmed three people died at the scene. The two survivors were rushed to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment.
Dramatic video captured the helicopter flying low over the waves before impact, with beachgoers scrambling to alert rescuers. Emergency crews, including the U.S. Coast Guard and Kauai Fire Department, raced to the spot in rough terrain known for its towering cliffs and waterfalls.
This marks another blow to Hawaii’s helicopter tour industry, which has faced repeated safety questions over the years.
Prayers go out to the victims and their families as investigators work to determine what went wrong.
