A helicopter crash off the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii on July 11, 2024 left one person dead and two others missing. The incident involved a Robinson R44 helicopter operated by Ali’i Kauai Air Tours & Charters and occurred around 2 p.m.
Witnesses on the Kalalau Trail reported seeing the helicopter crash into the water and immediately notified dispatchers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, three individuals were aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash.
Rescue teams swiftly responded to the scene. About an hour after the crash, the body of one passenger, Amy Nichole Ruark Quintua, 53, from Union, Kentucky was recovered from the water and pronounced dead. Her husband, James Quintua, 60, and the 69-year-old pilot, Guy Croyden, remain missing.
Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami expressed his condolences, saying, “We are incredibly sad to hear of the life lost today and the two other individuals who are still missing after a helicopter crashed into waters off Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.”
Due to safety concerns for the first responders, county officials paused search operations Thursday night but resumed them Friday morning. The U.S. Coast Guard continued the search through the night.
The search and rescue operations were suspended on Sunday, July 14, 2024 after approximately 60 hours of searching, covering over 830 square miles. “Although this event has been tragic for both the families and the community, I am comforted that our responders have managed to gather some debris and thoroughly conduct our search efforts, which might offer closure for all involved,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Kristen Hahn, who led the search and rescue mission.
Acting Governor Sylvia Luke extended her gratitude to all responders, stating, “As the search and recovery efforts proceed, the State is ready to collaborate with the County of Kauai and our Federal partners. We thank all responders and agencies for their support during this challenging period.”
Ali’i Kauai Air Tours & Charters is a Hawaiian family-owned air tour company based in Lihue with over 30 years of flying experience. The company’s operations include both plane and helicopter tours, showcasing the natural beauty of Kauai, particularly the rugged Na Pali Coast.
Despite the company’s extensive experience, aviation experts have raised concerns about the safety of single-engine helicopters like the Robinson R44, especially in Hawaii’s challenging environments. “Flying single-engine helicopters over Hawaii, particularly the Na Pali Coast, is not prudent. The Robinson R44 model is more susceptible to Hawaii’s often-changing climates,” commented aviation attorney and helicopter pilot Ladd Sanger.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash to determine its cause. Early reports indicate that weather conditions at the time of the crash were typical for the area, with 15-25 mph winds, light clouds, and scattered showers, leading officials to believe that weather was not a factor.
This incident again brings attention to the risks associated with helicopter tours in Hawaii. Efforts by Hawaii lawmakers to improve the safety of these operations, such as increasing aircraft liability insurance requirements, have faced challenges and have yet to be successful.