Honolulu, HI – One Killed, Two Missing in Helicopter Crash on Na Pali Coast in Kauai
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Honolulu, HI – One Killed, Two Missing in Helicopter Crash on Na Pali Coast in Kauai

July 14, 2024

Honolulu, HI (July 14, 2024) – First responders from numerous agencies are currently conducting a search for two individuals who are missing following a helicopter accident along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai.

The active search-and-rescue effort is being conducted by Kauai County personnel, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and other entities. One victim was discovered dead in the wreckage, per officials.

On Thursday at approximately 1:20 p.m., the Ali’i Air Tours and Charters helicopter crashed in the Hanakoa Valley. According to Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck, the helicopter pilot is a local resident. He stated that the two other passengers aboard were suspected to be visitors. Authorities continued to investigate the details of the accident, and no additional information was released.

Our deepest condolences are with the deceased victim’s family.

Aviation Accidents in Hawaii

Most of the time, air travel is one of the safest ways to get around. However, when aviation accidents occur, the results can prove to be catastrophic for those involved. This is because there is virtually no such thing as a minor plane crash or safe crash landing. These occurrences are often life-altering and devastating events. Aviation accident rates have lowered in recent years, but the rising popularity of private jet travel could soon reverse this downward trend.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates aviation disasters and tracks statistics. The NTSB estimated that nearly 6.84 of every 100,000 flight hours resulted in a plane crash, and about 1.19 of every 100,000 hours resulted in a deadly accident. Moreover, helicopters and small private planes average an increased number of accidents, in contrast to the general safety of other general aviation aircraft. For instance, small private plane crashes account for approximately 500 deaths each year in the United States.

These types of accidents can happen for multiple reasons. Of course, the pilot’s conduct is a continuous focus in cases like these. This is primarily true with private planes, whose pilots often work part-time. Additionally, bad weather is a common cause of private plane and helicopter accidents. Furthermore, in Hawaii, helicopter trips, in general, are exceedingly common but also extremely hazardous. Over the last several years, Hawaii experienced upwards of 20 helicopter accidents, as reported by the NTSB. All of these incidents resulted in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and fractured bones. Regrettably, these accidents also resulted in the loss of a significant number of passengers and flight crew.

Thankfully, our personal injury lawyers in Kauai have been representing the families of injured accident victims for decades. Individuals hurt in plane and helicopter accidents suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries. Our attorneys at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner handle cases of catastrophic and fatal accidents caused by pilot error, equipment defects, air traffic control error/malfunction, fuel mismanagement, and much more.  Call the law office of Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner as soon as you can to learn about how you may be eligible for financial compensation if you were hurt in a helicopter accident that was not your fault or lost a loved one in one of these accidents due to another party’s negligence. You can reach our team by calling (808) 537-2525. 

Notes: Our team of writers uses secondary sources such as news reports, and local and state police incident reports to create these posts. We have not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this particular accident so if there is any information that is incorrect, please contact Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner right away so that we can update the post to reflect the most accurate information available. 

Disclaimer: This post is not a solicitation for business. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. None of the information in this post is intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical assistance immediately.

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