March 27, 2026 / 4:48 AM EDT / CBS/AP
Hanalei, Hawaii — A helicopter crashed Thursday afternoon off Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, killing three people and injuring two, authorities said.
The helicopter, carrying a pilot and four passengers, went down about 100 yards offshore, the Coast Guard told CBS News. Kauai Police and the Kauai Fire Department said three people died and two others were transported to Wilcox Medical Center for treatment.
Officials said the aircraft was operated by Airborne Aviation. Helicopter tours are a popular way to view the Na Pali Coast’s cliffs, beaches and waterfalls, which are otherwise accessible only by hiking or boat.
Local and federal responders conducted recovery and rescue operations. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and said they will release more information as it becomes available.