Posted on: Saturday, September 25, 2004

Search continues for missing tour helicopter

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Coast Guard will resume its search this morning for a Kaua'i tour helicopter with five people aboard that was reported overdue last night.

The helicopter belonged to Bali Hai Helicopter Tours, which is based in Port Allen on the west side of the island. The helicopter took off at about 4 p.m. with a pilot and four passengers and was scheduled to return an hour later, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson.

The Federal Aviation Administration notified the Coast Guard at 6:05 that the helicopter had not contacted the FAA to "close" its flight plan. At 6:21 p.m., a Coast Guard C-130 left Barbers Point and searched Kaua'i's Na Pali coast and some inland areas, Johnson said.

Several private helicopter owners also joined the search. The Coast Guard suspended its search at 8:30 last night and will resume at first light today, Johnson said.

Johnson declined to elaborate on the helicopter's flight plan or who was on the flight. A man who answered the Bali Hai telephone last night declined to comment.

But according to the Bali Hai Web site, the company offers two set tours and charter tours of Kaua'i. The tours includes flyovers of sugar plantations, Waimea Canyon, Kalalau Valley, Honopu Arch, Na Pali coastline, Ke'e Beach, Ha'ena State Park, Mount Wai'ale'ale and the Manawaipuna Falls.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.