HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO PATROL
CAPTAIN KENNETH VIEIRA
PHONE: 961-2214
OCTOBER 2, 2006
REPORT NO. C06030810

MEDIA RELEASE

Big >Isla>>n>>d> police are investigating a helicopter accident at the Hilo airport Monday morning (October 2, 2006).

The pilot of a tour helicopter reported that she experienced mechanical difficulties 8-10 feet above ground just after taking off at 9:30 a.m. The Hughes MD500E helicopter made a hard landing about 173 feet from the take-off spot, breaking the right skid and bending the boom that leads to the tail rotor.

Two Oregon couples were on board at the time of the accident, along with the K&S Helicopters Inc. pilot, a 33-year-old Hilo woman.

A 69-year-old Monmouth, Oregon, woman was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries from the crash. A 45-year-old Roseburg, Oregon, woman also suffered minor injuries but was released at the scene. The pilot and two men on board were not injured.

Police are investigating the case as an aircraft accident. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board also will investigate.

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