bennyb

They think 4 or 5 people were killed. http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/b...l?id=133651663

Very sad.

nytraveler

I am always amazed at the number of people who do this for fun given the frequency of fatal accidents.

SAB

Unfortunately, there is usually at least one a year. However, given the number of helicopter tours that take place in the islands, one a year is very low.

iowagirl

We're heading back to Maui in Feb. and I was half-planning to surprise DH with a helicopter tour. I know the vast majority of these trips are safe, but I have to admit, this gives me pause.

P_M

Back in 1985 the ex and I were driving up Haleakala (sp?) when suddenly we were passed by several emergency vehicles. We eventually discovered a tourist helicopter had crashed, and the next day we learned a man on his honeymoon was killed. Even after all these years I still think of that and how the bride must have felt.

This crash is much more sad because 5 people were lost.

nytraveler

Yes - but there was another crash into NY harbor several weeks ago. And 3 passengers died even though they landed in the east river (tiny) practically next to the shore.

Tomsd

As one who has had quite a bit of experience in the air (over 40 years as a passenger and also some time at the controls) - I always triple check the qualifications of the Helicopter company, the number of hours each pilot has, their safety records, etc.

Have taken several great heli flights in Hawaii (Big Island and Kauai) - and was very satisified with the professionlism of the companies we picked, but again, do a very thorough check on the various companies.

Bobmrg

I agree with Tomsd. As a professional pilot myself, I checked out Blue Hawaii thoroughly before signing my wife and I for a tour. The whole operation impressed me, especially the safety program. nytraveler has fallen into the same trap as have many who comment on aviation safety...forgetting that there are no statistics as to how many flights each day take off and land without making the evening news. The safety record of the aviation industry will never be perfect, but fatalities per passenger mile are very low and have stayed low for a decade or so.

spirobulldog

I haven't been to Hawaii, but plan on going the end of May 2013(hopefully). Haven't totally made my mind up as to do Kauai, Big Island or a bit of both. We will for sure do a Helicopter tour at some point. The "doors off" looks cool to me. I actually had planned on doing a powered hangglider/trike www.birdsinparadise.com There are a couple of other companies too. However, I noticed that one of them went out of business a few months ago when the owner died when he crashed. I think I have for sure talked myself out of the power gliding, but now the helicopter has me skeptical too. I have been on a few, including one that landed in the bottom of the Grand Canyon and one on a Glacier in Hawaii. Probably the most risky air adventure was flyout fishing in a bush plane in Alaska, landing in water. Very old man, very old plane, very very smooth flight and water landing in unbelievable fog just before the landing.

spirobulldog

most risky or riskiest. Hmm, I dunno.

spirobulldog

and that would be a glacier in Alaska. Oh, why don't I hit that preview button.

bennyb

Looks like most of the companies offering tours in Hawaii have had accidents before: http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/things-t...opter/crashes/

I'm not picking on any particular company, just wondering whether the activity itself is worth the risk.

sandi

I simply don't do helicopters ANYWHERE!

Tomsd

To follow on Bobmrg's comments, I think every pilot with Blue Hawaii on the Big Island has 15,000 hours or more, which is very impressive. Yes, you could get in a helicopter wreck, or you could also get in a car wreck driving around the islands.

There is some risk in everything we do - but you can improve the odds in your favor by doing a lot of research.

On Kauai, Jack Harter was very impressive, but don't know if he has retired now. He was actually so careful, I wanted him to buzz a little closer to the ground - but it reminds me of the old saying: There are bold pilots and old pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.

schmerl

You are correct...it is important to do your research and choose a company with whom you feel comfortable.
Before we all get so hyped up about helicopters, look into how many people are killed on our highways every year. Much more dangerous than flying!

Tomsd

Actually, Tourists die of many other random causes besides possibly going down in a helicopter. We all have different fears so some might just be terrified of flying/crashing in a helicopter.

Me, I don't like walking in the deep jungle where the Anacondas hang out.

Tomsd

As in - getting bitten by a poisionious snake is one thing, but being crushed and then swallowed whole is quite another.