Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in Kohala Mountains

Hawai‘i County Fire Department helicpoter. Photo by Nate Gaddis.

The Hawai‘i County Fire Department responded today, Tuesday, Oct. 4, to a 9:26 a.m. report of a downed helicopter in the Kohala Mountains in or around the Pu‘u O Umi Natural Area Reserve.

At 10:26 a.m., responders found the helicopter sitting on its skids with obvious damage to main and tail rotor blades.

The privately contracted helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in marshy-light brush area on the North flank of the Kohala Mountain Range, north-northwest  of Waimea town.

The pilot was able to safely land the aircraft without injury to himself or his two passengers.

The area not accessible by vehicle; HFD Chopper 1 located the downed aircraft and all occupants, and were able to transport all parties to safety.