What Happened
Doors-Off Tours Under Scrutiny After Fatal Accident
A recent helicopter crash on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast has raised new questions about the safety of doors-off helicopter tours. The families of two passengers who died in the crash have filed a lawsuit against Airborne Aviation, alleging that the company failed to provide a safe means of emergency egress. The incident has sparked concerns about the industry’s safety protocols and the use of restraint systems in doors-off operations. According to the complaint, the passengers survived the initial impact but were unable to escape the helicopter, which became partially submerged in the ocean. The FAA has regulations in place for doors-off restraints, but the lawsuit suggests that these may not be sufficient. This incident was first reported by Beat of Hawaii.