Multiple Fatalities After Helicopter Crash In Hawaii

“According to a preliminary report, Kauaʻi Police Dispatch received a text-to-911 message at approximately 3:45 p.m. that a helicopter crashed into the ocean near Kalalau Beach. Officials have identified the helicopter as being operated by Airborne Aviation, with one pilot and four passengers,” the Kauaʻi Police Department stated.

“The crash resulted in three fatalities, with two others transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment,” it added.

Helicopter Crashes Off Hawaii Coast, Leaving Multiple Dead and Injured

A helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii on Thursday afternoon, leaving at least three people dead and two others injured. Authorities say the incident occurred near Kalalau Beach along… pic.twitter.com/raTt91k9BD

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 27, 2026

More from the Associated Press:

The helicopter crashed off the coast of Kauai just before 5 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday that it was investigating the crash of the Hughes/MD 500 helicopter.

“They will begin gathering information surrounding the flight and plan to examine the helicopter once it is recovered from the water,” the NTSB said in a statement.

Officials identified the helicopter as being operated by Airborne Aviation, a helicopter company that does sightseeing tours of Kauai’s canyons, shoreline and waterfalls. Airborne advertises a “doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour” that seats up to four people.

“The Coast Guard, agency partners and good Samaritans responded to a helicopter crash off Kalalau Beach on Kauai Thursday. Good Samaritans and Kauai Fire Department crews rescued and medically evacuated two survivors to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue, Hawaii,” the Coast Guard said in a press release.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of three lives in this helicopter crash and thinking of those individuals’ families and friends,” said Cmdr. Andrew Williams, search and rescue mission coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

“We are also keeping the survivors in our thoughts as they begin their recovery. We remain grateful for close coordination with our partner agencies throughout this tragic incident,” Williams continued.

3 killed, 2 injured in tour helicopter crash on Hawaiian island of Kauai https://t.co/Xnj8OWmZAb pic.twitter.com/cbgnBVSFfO

— New York Post (@nypost) March 27, 2026

CBS News shared further:

Helicopter tours are a popular way to explore the cliffs, beaches and waterfalls lining the Na Pali Coast, which is otherwise only accessible by hiking or boat.

Derek Kawakami, mayor of Kauai, thanked the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and local police, fire and safety agencies.

“Here on Kauai, whenever somebody puts their feet on our soil, they’re one of ours, we treat them like one of ours, they’re a part of our family, and our first responders respond with that spirit in mind,” he said in an interview with Hawaii News Now.