- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Hanalei Today
By the People, for the People
Two Victims Identified in Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash, Pilot's Status Unknown
The two survivors remain hospitalized as federal investigators work to determine the cause of the fatal incident.
Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:07am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Two of the three people who died in the crash of a tour helicopter just offshore of Kalalau Beach along the Nā Pali Coast on Kauaʻi were identified as 65-year-old Margaret Rimmler and 59-year-old Patrick Haskell, both from Massachusetts. The third victim was a 40-year-old woman whose name has not been released. The two other people aboard the Airborne Aviation flight suffered injuries and were airlifted to Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe, but their conditions were not provided. The pilot's status is also unknown.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the risks and challenges of helicopter tours in Hawaiʻi's remote and rugged terrain, especially along the Nā Pali Coast, which has seen multiple deadly crashes in recent decades. It raises questions about the regulation and safety oversight of the tourism helicopter industry.
The details
The helicopter, a McDonnell Douglas MD 500 operated by Airborne Aviation, crashed about 100 yards offshore of Kalalau Beach, a popular stop for hikers on the Kalalau Trail. First responders from the Kauaʻi Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and other agencies rushed to the scene and found four patients, with some beachgoers already providing CPR. It took over an hour to extricate the trapped passenger from the submerged helicopter.
- The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. on March 26, 2026.
- Investigators from the FAA and NTSB are expected to arrive on Kauaʻi on either Friday night or Saturday.
The players
Margaret Rimmler
A 65-year-old victim from Massachusetts.
Patrick Haskell
A 59-year-old victim from Massachusetts.
Airborne Aviation
The tour helicopter company operating the flight that crashed.
Kauaʻi Fire Chief Michael Gibson
Provided details on the rescue efforts.
Doug Froning
The director of operations for Airborne Aviation, who expressed condolences and said the company is cooperating with investigators.
What they’re saying
“This is the absolute worst type of news that we would want to bring to our community.”
— Derek S.K. Kawakami, Kauaʻi Mayor
“We got into it because we love flying. Just a pure love for aviation, seeing a beautiful state like Hawaiʻi from the air. And we treat everyone that comes onboard our aircraft like family.”
— Doug Froning, Director of Operations, Airborne Aviation
What’s next
Investigators from the FAA and NTSB are expected to arrive on Kauaʻi to begin their investigation into the cause of the crash.
The takeaway
This tragic helicopter accident underscores the need for heightened safety protocols and oversight in the tourism helicopter industry, especially in Hawaiʻi's rugged and remote landscapes where these tours operate. It also highlights the bravery and skill of first responders who risked their own lives to rescue survivors.
