The National Transportation Safety Board report, released today, cautions that the information is preliminary and subject to change. It could be months or years before a final report and determination of probable cause is issued.

A witness who works at the Princeville Airport terminal said the helicopter was not approaching the runway faster than usual, but it was flying lower than usual, the report states.

The Heli USA aircraft slowed over the runway at less than 10 feet above the ground, and the witness wondered what the helicopter was doing because it was moving slowly in a level altitude.

"All of a sudden, the nose went down and (the helicopter) hit the ground," she said.

The nose, instrument panel, cockpit and the cabin area forward of the rear seats were destroyed by the impact, and fragments of composite material were scattered in a wide area around the wreckage site, according to the report.

An examination of the engine and transmission areas on the A-Star helicopter revealed no evidence of a pre-impact fire, structural failure , fuel leak or oil leak, the NTSB findings state.

"Control continuity" could not be established from the cockpit aft due to impact damage and crush deformation of the airframe.

The March 8 crash was followed by another deadly tour helicopter crash on Kaua'i three days later. One passenger on the Inter-Island Helicopters Hughes 500 was killed, three people were seriously injured and the pilot received minor injuries.

The wreckages of both helicopters were moved to the same private hangar at Lihu'e Airport.