Deadly Kauai Helicopter Crash Leaves Community Reeling

Three killed, two injured in tour copter accident on remote Kalalau Beach

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:05am

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style depicts a sweeping, forced perspective view of a remote, rocky coastline, capturing the grand scale and inherent risks of helicopter tourism in Hawaii.The dramatic crash site on Kauai's remote Kalalau Beach evokes the inherent risks and challenges of aerial tourism in Hawaii's rugged landscapes.Waimea Today

A helicopter tour operated by Airborne Aviation crashed into a sandbar near Kalalau Beach on the island of Kauai, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. The accident occurred on a remote stretch of coastline only accessible by foot, boat, or helicopter, prompting a complex rescue effort by first responders. Police have identified two of the victims as Margaret Rimmler, 65, and Patrick Haskell, 59, both from Massachusetts, while the third victim's identity is pending notification of next of kin.

Why it matters

This is the second fatal helicopter tour crash off Kauai's Na Pali Coast in less than two years, raising concerns about the safety of these sightseeing flights and the challenges of responding to emergencies in such remote locations. The incident has shaken the local community and will likely prompt further scrutiny of the helicopter tour industry in Hawaii.

The details

The helicopter, a 1979 Hughes MD 500, took off from Lihue Airport around 3:13 pm on Thursday and was in the air for at least 20 minutes before crashing into a sandbar about 100 yards from Kalalau Beach. First responders, including the U.S. Coast Guard, arrived on the scene by Jet Ski, air, and boat, and found good Samaritans already performing CPR on the victims. Extricating one survivor from the wreckage took over an hour due to the difficult terrain and worsening weather conditions.

  • The helicopter took off from Lihue Airport around 3:13 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
  • The crash occurred around 3:45 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Airborne Aviation

The tour operator that owned and operated the helicopter involved in the crash. The company has been registered to offer helicopter services in Hawaii since 2009.

Margaret Rimmler

A 65-year-old victim from Massachusetts who was killed in the crash.

Patrick Haskell

A 59-year-old victim from Massachusetts who was killed in the crash.

Derek Kawakami

The mayor of Kauai who spoke at a press conference about the incident.

Michael Gibson

The Kauai Fire Chief who discussed the rescue efforts at the press conference.

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What they’re saying

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved, which includes the family members, the folks at Airborne Aviation in regards to the crash at Kalalau Beach on March 26th. Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected by this tragedy.”

— Derek Kawakami, Mayor of Kauai

“These are the types of incidents that our personnel train for, the complex high-risk operations in remote locations, but there is no amount of training that lessens the emotional weight of a tragedy like this. But we are grateful that two individuals survived and are recovering.”

— Michael Gibson, Kauai Fire Chief

“We will be cooperating fully with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), and their investigation and we're going to do all we can to help them and to help those families.”

— Doug Froning, Airborne Aviation Operations Director

What’s next

The FAA and NTSB are expected to arrive shortly to investigate the cause of the crash. Airborne Aviation has suspended all tour operations indefinitely until they can ensure safety.

The takeaway

This tragic helicopter accident on Kauai's remote Kalalau Beach highlights the risks and challenges of aerial tourism in Hawaii's rugged landscapes. It will likely prompt renewed scrutiny of the helicopter tour industry and the need for enhanced safety measures and emergency response capabilities in these hard-to-reach areas.