Wreckage of Missing Helicopter Carrying 7 People Found in Hawaii

Six bodies recovered, authorities believe no survivors

(HONOLULU) — The wreckage of a helicopter carrying seven people to one of the most rugged and remote coastlines in Hawaii has been found Friday in a mountainous area on the island of Kauai, authorities said.

Officials said in a news release that they’re sending additional resources and searching for possible survivors.

Searchers began looking for the helicopter after it was reported overdue from a tour of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast on Thursday evening.

A search that began Thursday night was expanded Friday morning, but the steep terrain, low visibility, choppy seas and rain made the effort challenging, the Coast Guard said.

“Those conditions are not ideal,” Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir said. Rescue teams were “looking for any sign of the helicopter both on land and in the water and along the coastline.”

The helicopter company, identified as Safari Helicopters, contacted the Coast Guard about 45 minutes after the aircraft was due back from a tour of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast on Thursday evening, a Coast Guard statement said.


Six bodies been have recovered and authorities believe there are no survivors after a helicopter carrying seven people crashed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Wreckage from the crash was located Friday in Kōke‘e near Nu‘alolo, according to the Kauai Police Department.

Before fog and poor visibility ended recovery efforts Friday, first responders located six bodies, a spokesman for the Kauai Fire Department said during a press conference.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday it would send three representatives to investigate the fatal crash.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these passengers,” Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said in a press release.

Two of the passengers are believed to be minors, the Coast Guard said.

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