The crash of two helicopters while on
aerial tours on Kauai has led to calls for more stringent
regulation of the Hawaii air tour industry.
Crashes have
resulted in 39 deaths since 1994, and a recent study by the
National Transportation Safety Board condemned the Federal Aviation
Administration's lax supervision and failure to fully enforce
regulations.
There seems to be
no pattern as to cause, with mechanical error, bad weather and
pilot error all playing a role in recent crashes.
The helicopter
air tour business, with a 40-year track record, generates hundreds
of millions of dollars in revenues annually in Hawaii, with
helicopter tours offered on Kauai, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai
and Oahu.
To contact reporter Allan Seiden, send e-mail to [email protected].