1 dead, 2 missing after helicopter carrying tourists crashes off Hawaiian island

HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) – A tour company helicopter crashed off the Hawaiian island of Kauai this week, killing one person and leaving two missing.

The Ali’i Air Tours and Charters helicopter crashed at about 1:20 p.m. Thursday fronting the Hanakoa Valley.

The tour company said it is the only Hawaiian-family-owned and -operated air tour company on Kauai. According to its website, the team has more than three decades of flying experience.

Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck said the helicopter pilot was from the area and the two passengers on board were believed to be visitors from the mainland.

Authorities did not provide their identities.

Kauai lifeguards on personal watercraft recovered one body from the water Thursday as they continue to search for the other two missing.

Rescue crews said they also saw what appeared to be an oil slick on the water, along with some small pieces of floating debris.

The weather at the time was reported as normal for this time of year with winds of about 15 mph to 25 mph, light clouds and scattered showers.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Once the aircraft is recovered, an investigator will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft, according to the agency.

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