Helicopter Crash Kills 1 in Hawaii

March 12, 2007
The helicopter, owned by Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc., struck some trees with its main rotor blade, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said in an e-mail.

One person was killed and three people were seriously injured in a tour helicopter crash Sunday on Kauai, the second fatal helicopter accident on the island in four days, authorities say.

The crash occurred at about 1 p.m., shortly after the pilot heard a loud bang and lost control of the aircraft near the island's north shore, Federal Aviation Administration officials said.

The helicopter, owned by Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc., struck some trees with its main rotor blade, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said in an e-mail.

There were five people on board the Hughes 500 helicopter including the pilot, who was uninjured.

A tour helicopter crash on Thursday at Princeville Airport killed three passengers and the pilot. Three others were injured.

Hawaii helicopter crash probe looks at landing gear.

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