Two recent helicopter crashes On Kauai and a February 2007 NTSB report raise serious issues of the safety of Kauai helicopter tours.
In the course of three days, two helicopter crashes have occurred on the island of Kauai. On Thursday, March 8, 2007, a Heli USA Airways helicopter crashed at the Princeville Airport killing four, including the pilot, and injuring three others. On Sunday, March 11, 2007, an Inter-Island helicopter crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing near Haena, also on Kauai's North Shore. One fatality and four injuries are reported in the second crash.
Possible Maintenance Issues Indicated
Initial indications are that in both crashes mechanical problems were responsible. Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman has reported that the pilot of the Heli-USA Airways helicopter radioed that he was having hydraulic problems prior to his crash. An FAA statement issued following the Inter-Island helicopter crash states that "the pilot reported hearing a loud bang and lost control of the aircraft."
NTSB Report on Hawaii Helicopter Tour Concerns
These two crashes came directly on the heels of an NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) report released on February 13, 2007 regarding the crash of a Bali Hai Helicopter Tours, Inc., Bell 206B, at Kalaheo, Kauai on September 24, 2004. That report was highly critical of numerous aspects of the operation and monitoring of helicopter tours in Hawaii calling for additional pilot training in areas such as local weather patterns, stricter monitoring of maintenance policies and flight schedules which involve repeated flights by pilots over the course of a day.
Recent Helicopter Tour Crashes
Of the ten tour helicopter crashes in Hawaii since 1994, eight have occurred on Kauai, four of which have involved Heli USA Airways and Inter-Island Helicopters. Those ten crashes have, as of this morning, resulted in 39 deaths and 16 injuries.
Personal Observations
I have personally flown twice on helicopter tours on Kauai, once in excellent weather and once in cloudy conditions. I also have had one scheduled flight cancelled due to poor weather. One thing is clear to me having flown over Kauai. The weather conditions can vary widely over the island on the same flight. Sudden and unexpected wind conditions do occur especially when flying from land to ocean and back.
On a recent 4x4 land tour operated by the Hawaii Movie Tours, I ventured up near the base of the crater of Mt. Waialeale. Everyone on the tour noticed the constant flow of helicopters into and out of the crater. No where else has the sheer number of helicopter flights over Kauai been so clear to me. You can also notice this at the Lihue Heliport from which numerous helicopter tours fly. Pilots land from one hour-long flight and immediately pick up passengers for the next tour.
Personal Concerns on Flying on Kauai
I know nothing of helicopter maintenance and issues such as potential pilot fatigue. That's why we have the FAA and NTSB. I am, however, greatly concerned over the risks of injury or worse suggested by the NTSB report of February 13, 2007 and tragically evidenced by these two crashes which followed so closely upon the release of the report.
While helicopter tours on Kauai are likely to continue at the breakneck pace and bookings are likely to remain unaffected by either the report or crashes, I would be reluctant to fly on a helicopter tour over Kauai until steps are implemented to address the safety recommendations made to the FAA in the NTSB report of February 13, 2007.
Impact of Crashes and NTSB Report
I realize that many excellent Kauai helicopter tour operators would be severely impacted by any loss and decline of bookings. I also realize that current FAA staffing in Hawaii is insufficient to provide the type of oversight needed at this time. I cannot, however, in good conscience, recommend that anyone schedule a helicopter tour on Kauai until such time as these issues are addressed.
If You Must Fly
If, however, you do decide to take a helicopter tour of Kaui, I urge you to ask questions of your tour operator regarding their maintenance procedures, pilot training and pilot flight frequency. Two companies which I have flown with and asked such questions are Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and Jack Harter Helicopters. If I were to fly again on Kauai, I would do so with either of those two companies.
