A female passenger, reported alive in a tour helicopter crash earlier today, has died. Earlier the pilot of a Jack Harter helicopter and three other passengers died apparently upon impact at the crash site on the side of Mounta Wai’ale’ale
A female passenger, reported alive in a tour helicopter crash earlier today, has died.
Earlier the pilot of a Jack Harter helicopter and three other passengers died apparently upon impact at the crash site on the side of Mounta Wai’ale’ale in the mountainous center of Kaua’i.
The crash happened this morning between 8 and 9 a.m.
A Kaua’i firefighter, dropped off on the mountainside by Interisland Helicopters, is at the crash scene on the side of Mount Wai’ale’ale, and federal, state and county officials are at LIhu’e Airport awaiting the arrival of remains from the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration is ordering the bodies to remain in place until investigators view the crash scene.
The helicopter operated by Jack Harter Helicopters out of Lihu’e Airport was been found crashed at about 4,000 feet elevation on the side of Mount Wai’ale’ale in central Kaua’i, according to a Kaua’i police scanner report.
The aircraft failed to return to its helipad at Lihu’e Airport at its scheduled return time of about 9 a.m., after departing at about 8 a.m.
A rescue center is being set up at Lihu’e Airport.
(posted 1:33 p.m. HST)
