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7 People Missing After Tour Helicopter Is Lost in Hawaii 7 People Missing After Tour Helicopter Is Lost in Hawaii
(32 minutes later)
The Coast Guard in Hawaii is searching for a tour helicopter that disappeared late Thursday with seven people on board. The Coast Guard in Hawaii said on Friday it would continue searching by air and sea for a tour helicopter that disappeared late Thursday with seven people on board.
In a statement, the Coast Guard said that the search began after the owner of the helicopter, which it did not identify, had reported that the aircraft was overdue from a tour of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. The island of Kauai is northwest of Oahu, where Honolulu is. “The search continues for the seven people and any sign of the aircraft on Kauai,” Lt. Chloe Harmon, command duty officer at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu, said in a statement on Friday. “We appreciate the substantial assistance of our partners to continue the search overnight and maximize search efforts in the area.”
Although several agencies coordinated an hourslong search effort, there were no signs of the helicopter, the Coast Guard said.
Several crews will conduct searches at first light, the Coast Guard said, adding that additional search efforts would begin around 8:30 and 9 a.m. local time.
The Coast Guard said in an earlier statement Friday morning that the search began after the owner of the helicopter, which it did not identify, had reported that the plane had not returned as scheduled from a tour of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. The island of Kauai is northwest of Oahu, where Honolulu is.
The helicopter was carrying a pilot and six passengers, two of whom were believed to be children, the statement said. Though the helicopter has an electronic locator, no signal had been received.The helicopter was carrying a pilot and six passengers, two of whom were believed to be children, the statement said. Though the helicopter has an electronic locator, no signal had been received.
“We have trained crews responding and on scene searching for any signs of the helicopter and those aboard,” said Petty Officer First Class Robert Cox of the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu.“We have trained crews responding and on scene searching for any signs of the helicopter and those aboard,” said Petty Officer First Class Robert Cox of the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu.
Weather in the area was challenging, Petty Officer Cox said. Because of clouds and rain, visibility was limited to four miles, and winds were at 28 miles per hour, the release said. Friday’s forecast predicted scattered showers and winds around 23 m.p.h.Weather in the area was challenging, Petty Officer Cox said. Because of clouds and rain, visibility was limited to four miles, and winds were at 28 miles per hour, the release said. Friday’s forecast predicted scattered showers and winds around 23 m.p.h.
The offices of the governor of Hawaii and the mayor of Kauai did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.The offices of the governor of Hawaii and the mayor of Kauai did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Helicopter tours are common above the island of Kauai, the Coast Guard said. Eighty percent of the island is uninhabited, and much of that area is a state park.Helicopter tours are common above the island of Kauai, the Coast Guard said. Eighty percent of the island is uninhabited, and much of that area is a state park.
Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, according to the state’s official travel website. Sometimes called the “Garden Island,” Kauai is the state’s oldest and northernmost island, the site said. Parts of the island are accessible only by sea or air.Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, according to the state’s official travel website. Sometimes called the “Garden Island,” Kauai is the state’s oldest and northernmost island, the site said. Parts of the island are accessible only by sea or air.
Deaths involving helicopters and planes in Hawaii are not uncommon. Three people were killed when a helicopter crashed on Oahu in April. Two months later, a skydiving plane crashed north of Honolulu, killing 11 people.Deaths involving helicopters and planes in Hawaii are not uncommon. Three people were killed when a helicopter crashed on Oahu in April. Two months later, a skydiving plane crashed north of Honolulu, killing 11 people.
In August, Representative Ed Case, Democrat of Hawaii, introduced a measure that would impose stricter regulations on commercial air tour operations. Mr. Case’s Safe and Quiet Skies Act would prohibit tour flights over national wilderness areas and national parks, as well as require pilots to focus only on flying the aircraft — not narrating tours.In August, Representative Ed Case, Democrat of Hawaii, introduced a measure that would impose stricter regulations on commercial air tour operations. Mr. Case’s Safe and Quiet Skies Act would prohibit tour flights over national wilderness areas and national parks, as well as require pilots to focus only on flying the aircraft — not narrating tours.