LIHU‘E — It was the skills and professionalism of Jack Harter Helicopters’ pilot Doug Mohr which guided four passengers on an aerial tour Saturday to safety along Na Pali Coast at Kalalau Valley. As soon as Mohr “had an indication
LIHU‘E — It was the skills and professionalism of Jack Harter Helicopters’ pilot Doug Mohr which guided four passengers on an aerial tour Saturday to safety along Na Pali Coast at Kalalau Valley.
As soon as Mohr “had an indication that there was a problem with the helicopter’s engine,” he made a “safe landing with no injuries to those on board and no damage to the aircraft,” said Jack Harter Helicopters’ General Manager Casey Riemer Wednesday.
After making a secure landing, another Jack Harter Helicopter was dispatched to the scene with a mechanic in tow.
“The passengers were in good spirits and elected to continue their tour and enjoy the rest of the island’s scenery,” Riemer said.
But repairs did not end up occurring on site that day. Rather, the chopper was escorted out of the valley by a larger helicopter the next day, Riemer said. Maui’s Pacific Helicopters was contracted to bring the disabled helicopter back to the airport hanger Sunday.
Kalalau Valley is a “sensitive environmental place … we didn’t feel it was the best place to do what we needed to do,” Riemer said in regards to conducting repairs.
The helicopter was fixed immediately and is already up and running again, he said.
The incident was the first its kind for the company, according to Riemer. And it was entirely the pilot’s standard and emergency training which ensured such a safe landing.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” Riemer said.
Though it was an unexpected stop for everyone on the tour, the passengers actually got to experience a part of Kalalau Valley which is inaccessible for many.
Some of the Kalalau campers extended “their aloha to our passengers while they were on the ground,” Riemer said.
“They truly enjoyed their unplanned visit to Kalalau,” he said.
