Hughes 500 Helicopter Crash Off Kauai Kills Three During Tour

A Hughes 500 helicopter crashed into the ocean off Kalalau Beach on Kauai's Na Pali Coast around 5 p.m. local time on March 26, killing three people and injuring two others. The accident involved an Airborne Aviation tour aircraft with one pilot and four passengers aboard.

Survivors were rescued by bystanders and the Kauai Fire Department before being transported to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue. The aircraft, registered as N715KV, was conducting sightseeing tours over the rugged coastline when the accident occurred.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Airborne Aviation has ceased operations following the incident. County officials noted the community's grief over the tragedy, highlighting the inherent risks of tourism operations in the area's challenging terrain.