Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Kekaha, HI
On July 11, 2024, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kekaha, HI. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 11, 2024
- Place
- Kekaha, HI
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 22.184°N, 159.646°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240712194676
Official records · ANC24FA063
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 11, 2024, about 1305 Hawaii standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N144KW, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Kekaha, Hawaii. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air tour flight. The helicopter was owned by Aloha Helicopter Tours LLC and being operated by Ali’I Air Tours for air tours on the island of Kauai. The helicopter departed from the Lihue Airport (LIH) at about 1231 for a 1-hour tour of the island of Kauai. According to archived ADS-B data, after the helicopter departed from LIH, it initially proceeded west-southwest before turning to a northerly heading. As the helicopter neared the northern shoreline of the island of Kauai, archived ADS-B data ended. ADS-B coverage along the northern coast of Kauai is limited due to mountainous terrain. Witnesses hiking on the Kalalua trail, along the Na Pali coast on the northern shore of Kauai, reported that during a brief rest stop overlooking the coast, strong gusting wind prevailed. They reported that, as they rested, a “huge” and sudden gust of wind blew over them, followed by a very loud “bang” noise. As their attention was drawn to the source of the loud noise, they saw the helicopter wreckage freefalling into the ocean in two sections: a main fuselage section and the tail boom section. The witnesses said that the helicopter wreckage sank moments after striking the water about one quarter of a mile offshore. The U.S. Coast Guard located the wreckage in about 77 ft of wa
Probable cause
An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.
More accidents in HI
- Beech 65-A90, Jun 22, 2019
- Piper PA-31-350, Sep 26, 1999
- Boeing 747-122, Feb 24, 1989
- Beech E18S, Apr 23, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Dec 24, 1987
Browse: Hawaii · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
