Helicopter tour firm sued in family's death

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui Writer

WAILUKU, Maui — The estate of the New Jersey family of four that died in a tour helicopter crash in 'Iao Valley two years ago has filed a lawsuit in Maui Circuit Court for each of the family members.

The suit accuses Blue Hawaiian Helicopters of negligence in, among other things, allowing a pilot with "a dismal safety record" to take control of the aircraft that crashed on July 21, 2000, killing all seven people aboard.

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report suggested that pilot Larry Kirsch, 55, became lost in the clouds and flew directly into a ridge. Kirsch's pilot's license had been suspended for 45 days by the Federal Aviation Administration for a 1996 midair collision with a small airplane in Alaska.

Blue Hawaiian president David Chevalier said yesterday the company was aware of the suspension but hired Kirsch because of his extensive flying background and top-flight recommendations.

"Larry's record speaks for itself," Chevalier said.

The lawsuit was filed by Honolulu attorney William McCorriston on behalf of a representative of the estate of William John "Jack" Jordan, 51; his wife, Jan Herscovitz, 49; their son, Max Jordan, 16; and daughter, Lindsey Jordan, 15.

Also killed in the crash were Natalie Prince and Whitney Wood, both 14, of Fort Worth, Texas. The parents of the two girls filed suit against Blue Hawaiian last year.