Search expands for missing Hawaii tour chopper carrying seven, including two children

Rescuers resumed searching Friday for a tour helicopter carrying seven people that disappeared along one of the most rugged and remote coastlines in Hawaii.

A search that began Thursday night was expanded Friday morning, but the steep terrain, low visibility, choppy seas and rain made the effort challenging, the Coast Guard said.
"Those conditions are not ideal," Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir said. Rescue teams were "looking for any sign of the helicopter both on land and in the water and along the coastline."

The helicopter company, identified as Safari Helicopters, contacted the Coast Guard about 45 minutes after the aircraft was due back from a tour of Kauai's Nā Pali Coast on Thursday evening, a Coast Guard statement said.

Part of Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park where search and rescue are searching for helicopter that went missing with seven people on board. Photo / via AP

The Eurocopter AS350 helicopter took off from the town of Lihue, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The helicopter has an electronic locator, but no signals had been received, according to the Coast Guard.

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

Clouds and rain at the scene limited visibility to 6.4km, with winds at 45kmh. Friday's forecast predicted winds were at about 37kmh.

A rescue helicopter and crew was launched from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, and additional support was provided by the Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 at Kaneohe Bay. A Coast Guard cutter and crew were also launched from Honolulu.
"We're looking forward to first light when our visibility improves simply because we have daylight," Muir said.

Local fire officials planned to launch their own search efforts. Commercial helicopter companies and ATV crews were also being deployed.

Towering mountains and steep, deep ravines and cliffs line the coast.

"There are beaches along the Nā Pali coastline, but we are experiencing periods of very high water, so exactly how much beach may be available I couldn't tell you," Muir said.
Helicopter tours are common above the island of Kauai, much of which is made up of remote state parks.

- AP