3 Killed, 2 Hospitalized After Helicopter Crashes into the Ocean Near Hawaii Beach

A helicopter tour turned deadly in Hawaii after a chopper crashed into the ocean off Kauai, leaving three people dead and two others hospitalized.

The crash happened Thursday, March 26, at about 3:45 p.m. local time, when Kauaʻi Police Dispatch received a text-to-911 alert reporting that a helicopter had gone down near Kalalau Beach along the Nā Pali Coast in northwest Kauai.

According to the Kauaʻi Police Department, the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation and had five people on board, including one pilot and four passengers. Authorities said the crash claimed three lives.

The two survivors were rescued and taken to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue for treatment.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the helicopter went down about 300 feet offshore, adding another layer of difficulty to an already dangerous rescue effort in one of Hawaii’s most remote and rugged areas.

Multiple agencies rushed to the scene, including the Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, American Medical Response, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Kauaʻi Police Department.

Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims or any details about what may have caused the crash.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami described the location as “very, very isolated” and said it is a “very tricky” area to access. He also praised first responders for their “phenomenal” work during the emergency response.

The Nā Pali Coast is known for its dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and secluded beaches, but parts of the region can only be reached by boat, hiking trail, or air. Because of that, helicopter tours have become a popular way for tourists to experience the breathtaking landscape.

For now, many questions remain unanswered as authorities continue to investigate exactly what went wrong in the moments before the aircraft plunged into the water. Airborne Aviation and the U.S. Coast Guard have not publicly provided additional details.