Magnum Helicopters Suspends Operations

Citing on-going FAA regulatory requirements, Magnum Helicopters is suspending operations today. Many travel-related social media sites have posted that their reservations in May, June, and July have been canceled.

Helicopter Accident At Kalalau Beach

KHON2 reports that a helicopter with five aboard made a crash landing at Kalalau Beach on Kaua‘i's Nāpali coast after 15:30HAST today. It's being reported to be an air tour helicopter belonging to Airborne Aviation. Flight tracks from FlightRadar24 and FlightAware, shows the last helicopter to be in the area as N715KA (msn 490487D), a Hughes 359D, commonly known as a Hughes 500. There were five people aboard the helicopter. N715KA is owned by AA Leasing LP [Kīlauea, Kaua‘i, HI], and leased to Airborne Aviation.

26 March 2026 - 22:00 UPDATE

Kaua‘i County officials report there were three fatalities, and two injuries.

27 March 2026 UPDATE

The FAA confirmed that it was N715KV that crashed, and the accident is under investigation by the FAA and the NTSB.

Rainbow Helicopters' N488JB Emergency Landing

A Rainbow Helicopters Robinson R44 II, N488JB (msn 13379), made an emergency landing at Kapi‘olani Park during a tour flight this morning, after an undisclosed issue.

Further information in this Hawaii News Now article.

Maui Police Department's N468WA

The Maui Police Department MBB-BK 117-B2, N468WA, flew MPD Chief John Pelletier from OGG to the grounds of the Valley of the Temples Cemetery for the memorial service for fallen MPD officer Suzanne O today. The helicopter, operated by Windward Aviation, landed shortly before the noon private service, and returned to OGG a few hours later.

Maui Police Department's N468WA

The Maui Police Department took delivery of a new helicopter, N468WA "Hekili" (msn ___). This Eurocopter MBB-BK 117-B2, owned and operated by Windward Aviation, is equipped with night-vision and rescue gear. 

This is the 3rd MBB-BK 117-B2 that Windward Aviation owns and operates. The first, N154AM (msn 7154), is operated for Air Method's LifeStar as an air ambulance, and the second is N828WA (msn 7219), that's operated for the Maui Fire Department.

Further information in this Hawaii News Now report.

Hawai‘i Army National Guard Flyover

A CH-47F Chinook from the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211 Aviation Regiment and a HH-60M from Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard, performed a flyover prior to the start of tonight's University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football game. Only 16-20855 (the HH-60M), is listed as the flight IMUA855, which made the flyover at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, in honor of the Rainbow Warriors' Senior Night agains the New Mexico Lobos.

Honolulu Fire Department's N305HF

The Honolulu Fire Department has taken delivery of their new Bell Textron Canada 429 Global Ranger helicopter, N305HF (msn 57517). This Bell 429 will eventually replace one of the three MD520Ns in HFD's fleet. The helicopter is currently at JRF, where it will perform training flights before being inducted into service.

31 October 2024 UPDATE

HFD held a blessing ceremony at JRF for N305HF.

N144KW Crashes Off The Nā Pali Coast

N144KW (msn 12805), a Robinson R44, owned by Aloha Helicopter Tours LLC [Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, HI] (operating as Aliʻi Air Tours & Charters) crashed off of Kauaʻi's Nā Pali Coast, abeam the Hanakoa Valley. The helicopter was last tracked at 13:20HAST, and the crash was called in by hikers at Hanakoa Valley. 

Hawaii News Now reports that one person was killed, and two remain missing. The US Coast Guard dispatched an HC-130J and an HH-65A, and the US Army sent a UH-60 to assist in search and rescue efforts. Other civilian helicopters have assisted as well.

Our condolences and prayers go out to those lost in the accident.

Jack Harter Helicopters' N633JH Crashes On Kaua‘i

N633JH (msn 0230E), a McDonnell-Douglas MD500E, owned by Jack Harter Helicopters of Līhuʻe, went down on Honopu Beach, on the northwest coastline of Kauaʻi. Thankfully, all four on board survived the crash, though one passenger required hospitalization.

Hawaii News Now coverage.

Air Rescue Systems has a video clip that was shot by someone on-board N633JH that flight.

Honolulu Fire Department Selects The Bell 429

Hawaii Public Radio reports that the Honolulu Fire Department has selected the Bell 429 Global Ranger as the helicopter type to eventually replace their aging MD520Ns. The twin-engine Global Ranger can carry more water for aerial firefighting, as well as more on board. HFD felt that it was more cost-effective to purchase a new helicopter, as opposed to trying to maintain the MD520Ns.

N382SS's Emergency Landing

N328SS (msn 1214), a Robinson Helicopter R44 owned by Spitzer Helicopters, and operated by Rainbow Helicopters, made an emergency landing on an islet in Ke‘ehi Lagoon after departing HNL. The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 HAST. Fortunately, all occupants aboard escaped injury. The HNL ARFF rescue boat and City & County Ocean Safety responded to tend to the occupants.

N52ZX

There is an addition to the Magnum Helicopters fleet with N52ZX (msn 5515). This Eurocopter AS355F2 is being leased from AS355 LLC [Camden, DE], and is painted in a multi-grey camouflage livery. It arrived earlier this week via shipping container, and re-assembled at the Magnum Helicopters hangar.

Maui Fire Department Receives New Helicopter

Maui Now reports that the Maui Fire Department received a new helicopter, N117WC (msn 7219). This Eurocopter BK117-850G2 will be owned, operated, and maintained by Windward Aviation. It will be re-registered as N828WA.

Honolulu Fire Department Seeks A New Helicopter

KHON reports that the Honolulu Fire Department is seeking funds for new twin-engine helicopter to replace one of its three aging MD520N helicopter. No specific replacement model has been announced, nor has any potential candidates.

Croman Corporation's N615CK Crashes on Kaua‘i

Croman Corporation's Sikorsky S-61N, N615CK (msn 61814), crashed near BKH as it returned from a contract flight for the US Navy. Sadly, all four aboard perished.

Updated coverage from KHON2 News.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the families of all those affected.

Novictor Helicopters' N808NV Crashes

N808NV (msn 0926), a Robinson R44 helicopter owned by United Helicopter Leasing LLC (Honolulu, HI), and operated by Novictor Helicopters, crashed this morning in Kailua, killing its pilot and two passengers. It was on an helicopter tour that was supposed to fly along O‘ahu's windward side. The cause is yet to be determined. FAA and NTSB investigators are being dispatched to the scene.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out the families of the pilot, and the two passengers.

Continuing coverage in this KHON2 News report.

Novictor Helicopters' N4132H Crashes

N4132H (msn 2403), a Robinson R44 helicopter, operated by Novictor Helicopters, made a crash landing on a sandbar in Kāne‘ohe Bay, after the pilot experienced a medical emergency. There were also two passengers aboard the tour helicopter. Fortunately, all three survived, though they sustained injuries. A pair of kayakers were first on the scene to aid with egress from the R44. A USMC CH-53E Stallion from Marine Corps Air Field at Kāne‘ohe Bay, also provided air support before first responders could base out of the He‘eia Kea Boat Harbor.

N4132H was leased from Higgins Leasing, Inc. of The Woodlands, Texas.

Азросибиръ N25299

N25299 (msn 108M01), a Mil Mi-17 helicopter, has arrived at JRF to be part of the motion picture "Triple Frontier", being filmed on O‘ahu. The Soviet-era built helicopter (1984) with "Аэросибиръ" titles will be based at JRF, throughout its stay here. This Mi-17 has "Ми-8МТЬ-1" on both sides of the nose section, as the Mi-17 is an advanced version of the Mi-8. This helicopter is owned by Vertol Systems Co, Inc (Hillsboro, OR).

N81GG Crashes On Molokaʻi

N81GG (msn 100346D), a Hughes 369D owned by local attorney Gary Galiher, crashed on Molokaʻi yesterday, and claimed the lives of Galiher and a passenger.

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Galiher ʻohana and his passenger's ʻohana.

MRH-90

An MRH-90 on board the HMAS Canberra.