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Massachusetts Couple Killed in Hawaii Helicopter Crash
The preliminary report found no suspected cause, and investigators said the pilot reported waves of high-frequency vibration before the helicopter spun.
- The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report Friday detailing how the Airborne Aviation helicopter that crashed off Kauai last month experienced high-frequency vibrations and spinning before plunging into the water, killing three passengers.
- Taking off from Lihue Airport on March 26 with four passengers, the flight crashed off Kalalau Beach on Kauai's remote Na Pali Coast, killing Massachusetts couple Margaret Rimmler, 65, and Patrick Haskell, 59, plus Ukrainian national Oksana Pihol, 40.
- According to the report, the pilot experienced vibrations that intensified during a left turn away from shore, then attempted an emergency autorotation maneuver to stop the helicopter's clockwise spin before it struck the water about 75 yards from shore.
- Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said the vibrations and sudden spin point to a mechanical problem, likely in the tail rotor, though he cautioned it remains too soon to definitively pinpoint the cause or rule out design issues.
- At least 16 people have died in Hawaii helicopter crashes over the past seven years, with investigations now focusing on maintenance and design issues; Airborne Aviation suspended tour operations as the NTSB continues its examination.
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Pilot cites ‘vibration’ before fatal Kauai crash | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
The pilot of a tour helicopter that crashed off of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast killing three people on March 26 told federal investigators the aircraft experienced “high frequency vibration” and spun around twice before going down.
Massachusetts couple killed in Hawaii helicopter crash
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed on a sightseeing flight off the Hawaiian island of Kauai last month, killing three passengers, told investigators that the aircraft vibrated and spun before plunging into the water, according to report released Friday.
Pilot says Hawaii tour helicopter vibrated and spun before crash killed 3 - The Morning Sun
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed on a sightseeing flight off the Hawaiian island of Kauai last month, killing three passengers, told investigators that the aircraft vibrated and spun before plunging into the water, according to report released Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report did not identify a suspected cause of the March 26 accident, but said the pilot said he experienced “a high frequency vibration t…
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