Clues sought in chopper crash
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
Federal Aviation Administration officials believe an obstruction may have prevented a private helicopter from taking off before it crashed and rolled down the steep Ko'olau mountains on Tuesday.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
Three men who were inside the Hughes 500 helicopter escaped serious injury when it rolled over at least a couple of times while sliding 100 feet down the Ka'aumakua ridge that divides Schofield Barracks' East Range and Kahana Valley.
Rescue crews helped transport victims of a helicopter crash Tuesday from the scene to waiting ambulances.
An FAA inspector flew to the 1,800-foot ridge yesterday to help piece together what happened.
FAA spokeswoman Tweet Coleman said the inspector will head back out there today while agency officials continue interviewing the copter pilot.
"Vines, a gutter or something else may have obstructed and prevented the helicopter from taking off, causing it to lose power and control," Coleman said. "But we will be looking at all three factors — man, machine and environment — before concluding our investigation."
The Army had hired the helicopter and pilot from Cherry Helicopters to fly in three field biologists from the University of Hawai'i's Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit for routine monitoring of endangered native species on military property.
The three biologists have been identified as Matt Keir, Daniel Toibero and Naomi Arcand. Keir and Toibero were seated in the helicopter at the time of the accident, about 10:20 a.m. Arcand was standing outside and was not hurt.
The pilot, believed to be in his 50s, and Keir were treated at Wahiawa General Hospital and released. Toibero was treated at The Queen's Medical Center for a back injury and released yesterday.
According to officials and witness accounts, the aircraft had landed at Pu'u Ka'aumakua and dropped off Arcand. It was taking off to drop Keir and Toibero elsewhere before it crashed and rolled over a ridge.
The aircraft continued rolling downhill before ending up on its side along a small plateau 100 feet below the landing pad, according to fire officials.
"It was a very rugged cliff where the helicopter fell off," Coleman said. "It was darn lucky the craft hit that plateau because it would have continued rolling."
While the two male biologists stayed near the wreckage, the pilot somehow managed to climb back up the 80-degree slope to the landing pad despite a hairline fracture to his leg. By then Arcand had notified the Army about the accident by cellular telephone.
All four were airlifted to safety.
David Duffy, University of Hawai'i botany professor and unit leader of the field biologist team, said the east boundary of Schofield's East Range is heavily wooded with steep 800- to 1,000-foot gulches. The biologists check on endangered native spec-
ies, fencing off certain areas to keep mountain goats and sheep away.
"You're taking about some terrain where some wild pigs don't even travel," said Duffy, who was not with the group at the time of the accident. "This job is not for the faint of heart."
Duffy said contracted field biologists are required to pass a minimum five-four helicopter safety course, as well as "dunking" training to ensure staff members can escape from their helicopter harness while underwater if necessary.
Coleman said Cherry Helicopters has a good safety record.
The company had earned special certification to allow them to fly the biologists into the mountainous area, according to Duffy.
"The guys were very lucky in surviving what happened, but I think being in good physical shape and extensive training contributed to their luck," Duffy said.
