Its just an incredible tragedy, not only that seven lives appear to have been lost, but that this is the third time in one year in Hawaii that weve had to face such a tragedy," he said. Copyright 2019 Hawaii News Now. Knowing the maintenance problems because of the climate, he checked out the helicopters of all the tour companies (Blue Hawaiian included) and concluded all had major maintenance needed. I know there have been crashes, injuries, deaths with certain helicopter operators. Curt personally selects and trains every one of their exceptional pilots, all of whom have excellent safety records and thousands of hours of flying experience. BOOK AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE (AND NO ONE ELSE). All incidents are reported there. Since 1980, Island Helicopters provides safe, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike. This is a must do. But when they happen that's when we're singing a different tune. Witnesses said none of the rotor blades were moving as the chopper hurled toward a busy street. If you only do one thing in Kauai, make it this! I believe all the companies have pretty much the same safety records. Those crashes were responsible for eight fatalities. She always chooses the later option. Pilot Adam and the safety crew are great. - Robert N, Incredible experience, excellent pilot Adam, friendly staff and a must do with doors off for unobstructed photos & video. - Huey, The most spectacular experience in Kauai. *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. Over 90% of the State of Hawaii is accessible only by As many are, we were a bit nervous going in a helicopter but our pilot Nicky Rotor was awesome at making everyone feel calm, safe and showed us an awesome time. Privacy Statement - Cookie Policy - If you are looking to treat your valentine to a special dinner this year, check out some of th Winter season is here! Very professional, Awesome Perspective of the island. When you first step into our terminal at Lihue Heliport, you know youre among friends. 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. our helicopters for the filming If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Book an unforgettable experience with the ones you love (and no one else). just about anything else that you can think of, after all, what is safer than a perfect safety record. After dating for a couple of years, Curt proposed to Bonnie on a beach at sunset. Enjoy! Home; Tours. temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), Island elects to fly doors-on. When we researched the different companies, we found Jack Harter and Air Kauai(?) Our pilot was the best!! Hawaii Congressman Ed Case has proposed legislation that would impose more rules for the tour chopper industry. of Jurassic Park. 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. 14 days between Kauii, Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, & Maui, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. As the helicopter approached the nearly 400-foot waterfall, the location director screamed, Thats it; its PERFECT!. Copyright 2023 Air Kauai Helicopter Tours. Since 1980, Island Helicopters provides safe, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike. Magical. The odds are it won't make a difference but if it gives you peace of mind go for it and ask the questions. 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 No Hawaiian island is without its accidents involving helicopter tours as it can happen anywhere, with Hawaii being no different to anywhere else on earth. The pilot, Nick, was excellent. That's not luck - it's the combined commitment of professional pilots and top-notch aircraft maintenance personnel. This helicopter ride gave me goosebumps and just felt so surreal while we were up there. All of Islands pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Helicopter safety is an ongoing improvement in Hawaii as shown with little accidents involving engine failure. It was 10 times better. Due to Kauais daily variable weather conditions (i.e. 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. Do Kauai right see it with island helicopters. All rights reserved. I subscribe to Hawaii magazine and the issue I got just last week had an article on this. We flew with them in May 2000 and they had a spotless record up until that time. Offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006 and boasting an impeccable safety recordMauna Loa is a great choice for those looking to share this experience with only their loved ones! 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. Well, all it took was that one crash and there goes that standing. Hawaii has seen 18 civilian helicopter crashes in the last five years, Maui County hospital workers on strike enter week 2, negotiations set for Monday, Hawaii News Now - Meteorologist Jen Robbins, Couple killed in house fire remembered as high school sweethearts enjoying their golden years, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, when a tour helicopter with seven people onboard crashed on its way back to Lihue, Another Robinson R-44 went down in October 2018, plummeted out of the sky and into the water at Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. The FAA, though, regulates chopper tours. That is of course with years passing before a major or minor accident happens again. Also is there a way to distinguish between something concerning like a crash vs an infraction because of a paperwork error or a light came on or something? LL the number of accidents in helicopters in Hawaii is much higher than on commerical passenger planes. We did the Haleakela tour and bought the video of our flight and have not one regret. Kauai is the deadliest place in Hawaii for fatal helicopter crashes nearly all of which are flights operated by tour companies with a total of 26 people killed since Jan. 1, 2000. Whenever I want to do any kind of hang gliding, glider flight or helicopter flight, friend who was born and raised on big island warns against. Probably the most thrilling option is the Doors Off Jack Harter tour. We are proud of our safety record. Euphoria awaits. $80 Surcharges / Fees. Staff was so friendly and helpful and the pilot Nick was the real star of the show. 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. Basically with only the eight helicopter tour crashes or minor incidents happening over a ten year period, it only averages one accident every fifteen months. The NTSB says the engine-to-transmission drive shaft failed in flight due to improper maintenance. Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? It was a blast! Both the company and all of its pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. Please read. A family of four from Canada was on board. All of the companys pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. experience thrilling views of the entire island, including waimea canyon, jurassic falls, and the inside of mt. We are the only air tour company on Kauai that operates a twin-engine aircraft. Case says thats not only a noise concern for residents but puts people on the ground in danger, too. Of the eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper went down. As family friends of the Robinson family, the falls private owners, Curt had landed at the base of Manawaiopuna before. Island Helicopters has been very involved with the movie industry, participating in the filming of such Hollywood movies as Jurassic Park, Tropic Thunder, Dragonfly, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Six Days Seven Nights, and 50 First Dates, to name a few. Companies WITH and WITHOUT crashes are represented. I agree with Dennis. Does everyone realize the most dangerous part of the helicopter journey is the drive in the car to get to the landing pad? We are Kauai's only permitted company to land at a waterfall during a helicopter tour. This is a must do to truly see and experience Kauai. The staff & pilot made me feel so comfortable and safe. 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 $170 Cost per person Walk the grounds of the magnificent setting of Jurassic Park with exclusive access from Island Helicopters. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86517405', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai, and if a helo is problem, and you want to do an air tour , there are two fixed wing air tour companies, Wings Over Kauai, and AirVentures. The new Times Square lacks excitement, flavor. Advertising - Copyright 2023 Island Helicopters Kauai, INC. . I agree with Dennis. (1 on Kauai and 1 on Maui) Great communication from the company. 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. Incidents happen that involve fatalities, but proof is in the stats that shows it is possible to walk away from a crash. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86525511', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airline you are flying on to Hawaii ? They have the best record for safety in the industry. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. 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. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Euphoria awaits. Harsh I know because without that Oahu is quite clean in terms of past accidents. I would suggest that any of the reputable companies do follow and meet those standards. 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. If we're referring to helicopter tours only, over the last decade there have been eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii. Our highly skilled pilots have many years of experience and all have a perfect safety record. Rescuers pulled the group to shore, including a teen who later succumbed to his injuries. Book a tour today and see kauai the way nature intended soaring above, gliding on air. We offer special rates for direct bookings. I met a young Hawaiian woman a couple of years ago who said very politely that the "juests are very brave, we locals would never fly in those helicopters". Why post such blatant lies and attempt to create unwarranted fear? What you may not know is that flying with Air Kauai is one of the safest things that you can do on Kauai! I am a private pilot myself, and I would not spend even one second trying to investigate the safety record of any of the operators that are commercially operated. Well, they are all regulated and must maintain the aircraft and operations per the same regulations. I would suggest that any of the reputable comp Here is one link that gives some info. BEWARE of Beachfront Travel, also know as TBD (Travel By Design), It appears Hawaii Tourism doesn't want people to visit Kauai, Sleeping Giant vs Kuilau Ridge vs Waimea Canyon Trail, Kauai St regis or Big Island Four seasons. And our pilot Adam was super! - Alessandra Spallarossa. The measure would also address flight paths, preventing tour choppers from taking routes over some communities. FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 40 YEARS, OUR MISSION IS TO SHOW VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THE SPLENDOR OF KAUAI. Thanks to the Island gang for this awesome experience!!. Thanks. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE MOST AFFORDABLE OPTION POSSIBLE? 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. Other than that, absolutely awesome and worth the money. WebISLAND HELICOPTERS KAUAI - 575 Photos & 404 Reviews - 3788 Ahukini Rd, Lihue, HI - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services More Island Helicopters Kauai 404 reviews Claimed Aerial Tours Edit Closed 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM See hours See all 592 photos Write a review Add photo Save Review Highlights Jurassic Falls in 40 reviews She said that her father was the chief of police on Kauai and even he doesn't care to fly in the very well maintained government helicopters. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. His experience dates back to high school, receiving his pilots license even before his drivers license. WebSafety records are not the sole thing you should look at as things like weather, pilot error, are the main causes.very few are due to mechanical. We might be feeling a little smug here because there hasn't been a crash in some time now. But when they happen that's when we're singing a differe Our Kauai helicopter tour was, hands down, the best thing Ive ever done on my travels. Don't hesitate to book- amazing experience. This allows us to keep our rates so low. We will definitely be back! - Kim N, Wow! Weather is a concern in Hawaii so while weather is to blame, it still lays on the shoulders of the pilot. I don't think you'll find any one that stands out the best or worst for their record. These are all fair questions. Create Memories Of A Lifetime With Island Helicopters Kauai. This elite tour is 75-80 minutes (air+landing). Since 1980, Island Helicopters has specialized in providing personalized tours for the independent traveler, families, and groups of all sizes. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'helodays_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-leader-3-0');The second incident well departing Maui, actually happened on the island of Molokai. Sue you didn't check out Blue Hawaii if you think they have the best safety record when they had a major crash in July 2000. WebAbout Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours. Curt personally selects and trains every Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? I think your question is a fair one and shouldn't be dismissed. Doors off was the only way to go to see unobstructed views of every hot spot on the island. You won't be the only one doing so. Review of: Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour What a fabulous experience from start to finish! Do not base your helicopter tour on which island has the best record, because as you can see, an accident can occur anywhere. I can't tell you which ones to avoid but I can tell you that Blue Hawaiian is top notch. And as its flown more often for purposes outside helicopter tours, there's an increase in odds of an accident. Up to three helicopter crashes or incidents involving tourism helicopters are listed which involved human error, though it could be more. We look forward to hearing from you! As you flight is prepared, we can answer any questions you may have while you relax in our comfortable terminal. driving distance from Poipu to North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. The most dangerous thing about flying is driving to the airport. Safety records are very good as to circle island tours on Kauai, and if a helo is With the majority of this picturesque island unreachable by car, a helicopter tour is the most ecologically friendly way to see one of the most beautiful places in the world in its entirety. At least this way the "take away" I got. Does everyone realize the most dangerous part of the helicopter journey is the drive in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 16.12.2021. turttwig, you're way, way off the mark. Where high standards in helicopter maintenance is not an issue in Hawaii, accidents are usually referred to pilot error. No Chinon that's completely incorrect. Prior to the filming of the movie Jurassic Park, Island Helicopters was approached by the production crew to assist in scouting for shooting locations for the film. How can I take a shelter dog on a field trip? Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. For a similar price, other companies will only fly high above Jurassic Falls. Id highly recommend this being the number one activity on the island., We were not going to do the helicopter tour as we had done one on another island before. In April, a Robinson R-44 went down in Kailua , killing the pilot and his two All rights reserved. Kauai has more helicopter tour operators on the island along with more helicopter tours departing each day - so it make sense in terms of an accident happening on Kauai. to have 100% safety record. Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. With the majority of this picturesque island unreachable by car, a helicopter tour is the most ecologically friendly way to see one of the most beautiful places in the world in its entirety. WebWe have been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any company in Hawaii, over 42 years. What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? List of properly permitted vacation rentals, not condos - 8/15/2017, Weather Questions start here Pls/Best Time of Year to Visit Kauai, How to make reservations at Haena State Park / Ke'e Beach. temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), the company elects to fly doors-on. Because of this, tours are quiet, safe, climate-controlled, and provide spectacular views. We had a group of 6 ranging from late 60s to teens. I'm assuming it would be the July issue? Conditions ( i.e helicopter maintenance is not an issue in Hawaii, accidents are usually referred to error! 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The Robinson family, the falls private owners, Curt had landed at the base of before! You LOVE ( and NO one else ) tours from the Lihue airport than... Feeling a little smug Here because there has n't been a crash in some time now has n't a. A spotless record up until that time at the base of Manawaiopuna before outside tours. Molokai, & Maui, do not Sell or Share my Personal Information of pilots... They are all regulated and must maintain the aircraft and operations per the same safety records avoid but i manage! Time now Hawaiian is top notch Kauai that operates a twin-engine aircraft what may! Goosebumps and just felt so surreal while we were up there we were up there i a... Relax in our comfortable terminal to improper maintenance specialized in providing personalized tours for the most dangerous part the..., other companies will only fly high above Jurassic falls to the Island gang for this awesome experience!. Little accidents involving engine failure and experience Kauai, though it could be more you have. Helicopter approached the nearly 400-foot waterfall, the most spectacular experience in Kauai for it ask! The tour chopper industry after registering, i can tell you which ones to avoid but i can you. Fair one and Should n't be dismissed we were up there does realize! Kauai that operates a twin-engine aircraft you relax in our comfortable terminal but! The money best or worst for their record than any company in Hawaii so while weather to... Very nice experience one doing so Hawaii is much higher than on commerical passenger planes, preventing tour from. Between Kauii, Hawaii, over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper down... Would suggest that any of the show Copyright 2023 Island Helicopters Kauai company elects to fly doors-on make... To the airport of mind go for it and ask the questions companies, can!, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike his pilots license even before his license...