HONOLULU, Hawaii – Kauai first responders have located the wreckage of a excursion helicopter that went lacking Thursday with seven human beings onboard, county officials stated. Authorities worry there were no survivors inside the crash, however they stated the seek remains ongoing.
The chopper become located in a remote region of Nualolo, a mountainous place on Kauai’s east side. On board have been a pilot and six passengers, including children. The aircraft turned into due to go back from a excursion of the Na Pali Coast at 5:21 p.M. Thursday. When the helicopter didn’t get back via 6 p.M., the Coast Guard changed into alerted and a big search changed into launched.
Authorities have scheduled a news convention for Friday afternoon. According to a preliminary report, authorities last made contact with the helicopter around 4:forty p.M., whilst the pilot said that the tour became leaving the Waimea Canyon area. The aircraft belongs to Safari Helicopters, a excursion helicopter enterprise based in Lihue. Company officers declined to touch upon the situation. The plane is equipped with an electronic locator, however no signals have been received. After the chopper went missing, the Coast Guard released a search by using air and sea in a bid to find it.
The Navy, Civil Air Patrol, Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Kauai National Guard, and business helicopters in the end joined the search. Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Cox, of Coast Guard Joint Rescue Command Center Honolulu, stated Thursday night that weather situations in the search place had been “challenging” with low visibility and blustery winds. In a statement, Gov. David Ige said, “We are presently coordinating with federal and local companies and are geared up to installation state assets as needed to help within the seek effort.” Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami also issued a statement, saying, “First and foremost, our mind and prayers are with the households of these passengers. Operations hold and we are doing the whole lot we will at this time.” Friday’s forecast are winds round 28 mph, with wind waves at 7 toes and a northwest swell of 6 ft. A small craft advisory is likewise in effect for the waters around Kauai.
