2 Massachusetts residents killed in Hawaii helicopter crash

The sightseeing helicopter crashed off a remote beach on the island of Kauai

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting the remote Kalalau Beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai shrouded in heavy fog. The remnants of a crashed helicopter are barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural environment.The remote Kalalau Beach on Kauai, where a sightseeing helicopter crashed, serves as a somber reminder of the sublime power of nature and the inherent risks of aerial tourism in Hawaii.Lihue Today

Two people from Massachusetts, Margaret Rimmler, 65, and Patrick Haskell, 59, were among the three killed when a sightseeing helicopter crashed off a remote beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The helicopter, operated by Airborne Aviation, crash-landed on a sandbar 100 yards off Kalalau Beach, with five people on board. Two survivors were rescued and medically evacuated.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the risks associated with helicopter tours, especially in remote and challenging terrain like the Hawaiian islands. It also raises questions about the safety regulations and oversight of tour operators in the state.

The details

The helicopter, a Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, crashed around 3:45 pm on Thursday off Kalalau Beach. First responders, including the U.S. Coast Guard, rescued the two survivors and recovered the bodies of the three victims. In addition to Rimmler and Haskell, the third victim was a 40-year-old woman. The helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, a tour company that offers doors-off Kauai tours.

  • The helicopter crash occurred on Thursday, March 26, 2026 around 3:45 pm.
  • In 2024, a tour helicopter crashed off the Nā Pali Coast in the same area as last week's crash, killing two passengers and the pilot.

The players

Margaret Rimmler

A 65-year-old resident of Massachusetts who was killed in the helicopter crash.

Patrick Haskell

A 59-year-old resident of Massachusetts who was killed in the helicopter crash.

Airborne Aviation

The tour company that operated the helicopter involved in the crash. The company offers doors-off Kauai tours.

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What they’re saying

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of three lives in this helicopter crash and thinking of those individuals' families and friends. We are also keeping the survivors in our thoughts as they begin their recovery.”

— Andrew Williams, Coast Guard Commander and search and rescue mission coordinator in Honolulu

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will review the safety practices of Airborne Aviation and other helicopter tour operators in Hawaii.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with helicopter tourism, especially in remote and challenging environments like Hawaii. It underscores the need for rigorous safety standards, oversight, and transparency from tour operators to protect the lives of both residents and visitors.