Tour Helicopter Crash off Kauai Claims Three Lives; Pilot Reports Sudden Vibration and Spin

A sightseeing helicopter carrying five people crashed off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, on March 26, killing three passengers and leaving the pilot and one other passenger seriously injured, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released Friday.

The aircraft, operated by Airborne Aviation, went down near remote Kalalau Beach on the Na Pali Coast—an area known for its challenging flying conditions due to abrupt weather changes and rugged terrain. The helicopter crashed approximately 75 yards offshore after the pilot reported a high-frequency vibration that intensified in waves, followed by an uncontrolled spin.

The pilot told investigators the vibrations began during a standard left turn away from the shoreline. As the helicopter started to rapidly rotate clockwise, he initiated an emergency autorotation maneuver, which temporarily halted the spin, and issued a mayday call before the impact. Upon crashing into the water, the helicopter rolled onto its side and became partially submerged. A nearby witness flying in the area observed the helicopter was intact before it hit the water and then broke apart.

The passengers who lost their lives were identified as Margaret Rimmler, 65, and Patrick Haskell, 59, both of Massachusetts, and 40-year-old Oksana Pihol of Ukraine. Helicopter tours are a popular activity in Kauai, offering views of the island’s dramatic cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls.

Aviation safety experts, including former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti, said early indicators point to a likely mechanical failure in the helicopter, possibly involving the tail rotor, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Airborne Aviation advertises thrill-seeker tours with doors removed for enhanced views, typically seating four passengers. The NTSB has yet to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the accident.

This incident is the latest in a series of fatal helicopter crashes in Hawaii and other tourist destinations. In the past seven years, at least 16 people have died in Hawaii helicopter crashes. The investigation into the Kauai accident is ongoing.