US copter with 7 tourists missing

Honolulu, Dec 27: A tour helicopter with seven people aboard has gone missing in Hawaii, the US Coast Guard said.

The owner of the helicopter contacted the Coast Guard about 45 minutes after the aircraft was due back from a tour of Kauai's Na Pali Coast, a news release said. The helicopter has an electronic locator, but no signals had been received, according to the bulletin released late on Thursday.

The helicopter was carrying a pilot and six passengers, two of whom were believed to be minors, the release said.

“The weather conditions are challenging,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Cox, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center, Honolulu. “We have trained crews responding and on scene searching for any signs of the helicopter and those aboard.”

According to the release, clouds and rain at the scene rendered visibility at 4 miles (6.4 kilometers), with winds at 28 mph (45 kmph). Friday's forecast predicted winds at around 23 mph (37 kmph).

Watchstanders directed the launch of a helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station (Barbers Point) and coordinated

The weather conditions are challenging. We have trained crews responding and on scene searching for any signs of the helicopter and those aboard.

— PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS ROBERT COX

additional support from the US Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 at Kaneohe Bay.

A Coast Guard cutter and crew were also launched from homeport in Honolulu. Further searches with a searchand-rescue airplane and crew, and fresh helicopter crew were scheduled for first light, if necessary.

According to the release, helicopter tours are common above the island of Kauai, much of which is a state park.

CNN reported that the owner of the helicopter company reached out to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre when the aircraft didn’t return from a tour of the Napali coast.

CNN said there was a cold front that came through the area around that time, bringing scattered showers and an increase of wind gusts.