I found this years ago, but they've not for some reason kept the site updated - the last time was Nov. 2011. http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/things-to-do/activities/helicopter/crashes/. We had a group of 6 ranging from late 60s to teens. While attending college at the University of California, Berkeley, Bonnie spent her summer vacations working as a kids camp counselor at Kahili Mountain Park on Kauai. All rights reserved. That doesn't say anything positive about your character. Amazingly, it took more than ten years to see an incident involving a helicopter tour on the Big Island, which thankfully resulted in minor injuries only. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'helodays_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'helodays_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_13',113,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-medrectangle-3-0_1'); .medrectangle-3-multi-113{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Still, having clocked up hundreds of thousands of hours in that time, between a dozen or more Hawaii helicopter tour companies; statistics prove helicopter tours are safe in Hawaii. All six passengers ended up suing Blue Hawaiian Helicopters for negligence. *No NTSB Record but reported in Maui News on 11/17/2009 with passengers Letter to Editor on 12/03/2009 describing engine failure and autorotation into a cane field. All rights reserved. Did you know that fear of heights, also known as acrophobia, is the fifth top phobia in the United States? No Chinon that's completely incorrect. Don't know how you would come up with such a fact. it's not a silly question. There have been many crashes o Causes of crashes does in involve human error more so but engine failure has been known to cause a crash three times over the past ten years. I wish the pilot would have slowed down around the waterfalls. Find out how we landed on this price. Highly recommend!, I was nervous to take a helicopter tour at first but was quickly having the time of my life! I am not saying to not book with an operator who fly the R44, as the helicopter is still a reliable machine. You won't hear the engine or the whirling of the blades. Take a second to visit our tours page or call us directly at 808.246.4666 and let our dispatchers help you pick the perfect flight for you. Plus he's a real daredevil kind of guy so she was surprised at his reaction -. They own a vacation home on the BI that you need a helicopter or all day trek on foot to reach. After five and a half years of navigating the Kauai Planning Departments permitting process, numerous environmental impact studies, and receiving sole permission from the Robinsons, Island Helicopters was approved to offer the ONLY waterfall landing on Kauai, the Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure. There have been many crashes on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Well, all it took was that one crash and there goes that standing. Both the company and all of its pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. The fatal crash Thursday is all but certain to reignite a debate about the safety of helicopter tours. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helodays_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');No island is immune from accidents involving helicopter tours but Oahu has jumped the list, followed by kauai/Maui with the Big Island having the one more recent accident. WebAll of Islands pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Well respected for his flight experience in the movie industry, Curt was asked to find an awesome location where the movies helicopter would land and introduce the cast of characters to Isla Nublar (aka Jurassic Park). With over 25 years of experience and a perfect safety record, they use state of the art helicopters, employ the best pilots (many of whom are military trained), and have the best mechanics who are FAA-certified and factory-trained. Book online to book Kaui's best Helicopter Tours! WebSunshine Helicopters offers helicopter tours and sightseeing tours of Maui, Molokai, Hawaii Big Island and Kauai. Bonnie and Curt Lofstedt (owners of Island Helicopters) employ a staff of 18 (on average), some of which have been with them for over 30 years! I think your question is a fair one and shouldn't be dismissed. The new Times Square lacks excitement, flavor. $308 Cost per person Companies no longer doing tours are not included. Because of this, many people may be afraid to take a helicopter tour. Blue Hawaiian definitely! When's the last time a plane went down? The ride was so smooth and the music was great! I just got back from Kauai and Maui and we took a helicopter ride in Kauai on Air Kauai and it seemed very safe. This was a fantastic experience! We did the Grand Skies Tour and it was worth every penny! Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? Rescuers pulled the group to shore, including a teen who later succumbed to his injuries. Unfortunately, while twenty-two passengers lost there life, half survived to tell the story. At Island Helicopters, we guarantee the best pricing. Our welcoming and professional staff greet every passenger and personally assist with check-in. I would recommend a helicopter ride to anybody since you can't see most of Kauai without it. WebAbout Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours. Personally I would suggest Jack Harter ( Kauai) with 'doors off' though. We saw parts of the Garden Island you can only see by air. Thanks to the Island gang for this awesome experience!!. So I don't know if we can rest on the fact that we don't check the major airlines safety records and leave it at that. All of the companys pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Perhaps a silly question, but everyone says to check safety records of the helicopter companies you are considering, but where does one go to view these records? Well three of the four Hawaii helicopter tour companies are still in operation today, you won't be familiar with Genesis Helicopters as they're no more. I wouldnt worry about it. Feel the tropical mist, take pictures and learn the fascinating history of this remote area including native plants, geologic formations and agricultural history. He had experienced the power of this unique natural landmark and knew it would be exactly what producers were looking for. $80 Surcharges / Fees. The most dangerous thing about flying is driving to the airport. WebIsland Helicopters has over 40 years of expertise, safety, and breathtaking adventure Learn More About Us Kauais Only Landing Adventure Walk the grounds of the Includes the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, Jurassic Falls by air, and more. just about anything else that you can think of, after all, what is safer than a perfect safety record. Island Helicopters owners Curt and Bonnie Lofstedt employ a staff of 18 (on average), some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years! The views were unbelievable! I just received my latest issue of Hawaii magazine and it has a great article on everything you want to know about these helicopters and these company's. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Bonnie would frequently hike the Na Pali Coast or Waimea Canyon with her campers, and at the end of the day, a chartered helicopter (Curt) would land and fly Bonnie and the campers back to camp. Both the company and all of its pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. Our policy is to exceed safety standards set forth by the FAA Preston Myers, Owner & Pilot Hands down my favorite experience in Kauai, and Kauai was magical--so that's saying a lot! turttwig, you're way, way off the mark. So much so that your words are irresponsible and may cause people to miss out on a very nice experience. Wh Call 808-246-4666 for more details, or book online now! WebThe best overall value and most flexibility in scheduling is found with Air Kauai. Human error is the main cause of helicopter tour crashes where the pilot could be blamed for the accident or is in part responsible, even if its out of their hands. Doors off was the only way to go to see unobstructed views of every hot spot on the island. Copyright 2023 Air Kauai Helicopter Tours. So much so that your words are irresponsible and may cause people to miss out on a very nice experience. Blue Hawaiian do not. If you only do one thing in Kauai, make it this! Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Without a doubt the best way to see the island in all its glory.. Our pilot was the best!! In February 2016, onlookers watched in horror as a Bell 206B plummeted out of the sky and into the water at Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial. You're very unlikely to be involved in a helicopter tour in Hawaii as the minutes clocked up along with the number of tours each year will see little to no incidents. Hawaiis air-tour leader for 35 years, and the only helicopter tour company that serves the entire state, Only Blue Hawaiian has an approved and accepted voluntary FAA Safety Management System (SMS), just like all major airlines, along with numerous other industry-leading safety programs and practices. Having said that, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters more recent accident involving their popular Airbus EC130 did indeed crash for the first time, but it was without fatality. Do Kauai right see it with island helicopters. The bill is pending in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The incident on Kauai is the second fatal helicopter crash in the islands this year. Human error can also involve weather where the company or pilot were careless enough to go ahead with a flight when the weather was poor or an incoming weather front was ignored. Of the eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper went down. Kauai is home to so many romantic restaurants with delicious menu items and beautiful views. What that means is the pilot made a manoeuvre through carelessness or ill health that resulted in the chopper crashing. We offer special rates for direct bookings. 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