Sightseeing Helicopter Crash Near Kalalau Beach in Hawaii Killed Three People, Including Two Residents of Massachusetts
HONOLULU, HAWAII (March 31, 2026) – A couple from Massachusetts were among the three people who tragically died in a Hawaii helicopter crash near Kalalau Beach on Kauai.
The US Coast Guard is reporting the accident took place around 3:45 PM on Thursday. There were reportedly five people and four passengers on the sightseeing helicopter when it crash landed onto a sandbar 100 yards from Kalalau Beach.
Good Samaritans and rescue crews from Kauai immediately began rescue efforts. Two survivors were extricated to a local hospital.
Sadly, two residents from Massachusetts were listed as casualties. The helicopter involved was identified as a Hughes OH-6 Cayuse. It was being operated by Airborne Aviation, which offers sightseeing tours around the island.
This tragedy comes less than two years after another tour helicopter crashed in roughly the same area, killing two passengers and the pilot.
A full investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash remains ongoing. The attorneys at GLK Law are also investigating the circumstances of this Kalalau Beach crash.
In addition to this investigation, they are representing families of the victims from the Hudson River helicopter crash in Jersey City, New Jersey.
If you have been affected by the helicopter crash in Kauai, don’t wait to take action. You can reach out to us anytime for assistance at (516) 908-9792.
Liability for Hawaii Helicopter Crashes
Helicopters are considered common carriers and are expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing harm to passengers. This necessitates that helicopters are routinely inspected and maintained. Their pilots must abide by all safety regulations set by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. In particular, there are several steps that pilots should take to avoid collisions.
- Helicopter pilots should maintain continuous visual scanning of the area around them.
- Helicopter pilots must follow standard traffic patterns sent by airports.
- Helicopter pilots must turn on their landing/probe lights to increase visibility.
- Helicopter pilots should adjust for weather and visibility conditions.
- Helicopter pilots should conduct thorough pre-fight planning.
The vast majority of helicopter crashes involve some amount of pilot error. In particular, most mistakes and crashes occur during the takeoff and landing. For example, a pilot may descend too quickly after they fail to judge the distance between the aircraft and the landing zone. Liability for a helicopter crash could extend beyond any pilot. The employer that they worked for could also be legally responsible.
Steps to Take After Hawaii Helicopter Crashes
A number of people are killed or seriously injured every year in helicopter crashes. According to the AOPA, “Non-commercial helicopter total accidents continued to decline to a 10-year low with 79 accidents, 14 of which were fatal. Eighty-five percent of the accidents were pilot-related with 15 percent mechanical-related. While fatal accidents increased—ending a two-year trend—the increase was minimal with 14 fatal accidents in 2016, up from 11 in 2015.” Multiple steps should be taken after any helicopter crash.
- All of the evidence associated with the crash should be preserved. This may include any black box that was recovered from the helicopter.
- Medical records for related injuries should be collected. These can help reveal how any accident took place.
- Any report created by the FAA or NTSB should be carefully reviewed.
- Victims or surviving family members should consider their legal options with the team experienced in negligence claims.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any helicopter crash. Survivors are often left with catastrophic injuries that impact their ability to work. They may also be burdened with high medical bills. To make matters worse, tour companies will virtually never accept responsibility if someone is harmed in their care. This is why it is so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an independent party.
Investigating Hawaii Helicopter Crashes
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the families of the two people killed in this collision. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a helicopter crash? Our team of aviation accident attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we may be able to help. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
