Hawaii crash cause found

Since the fatal helicopter crash that killed both the pilot and a family of 3 that were sightseeing on Hawaii’s Big Island in 2003, there have been ongoing investigations. Now the cause has been found.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the defective component is called the compressor coupling adapter and has caused 8 other accidents besides this one.

In 2004, there were three warnings about the danger of this part malfunctioning. In 2005 it was required to remove these parts from all aircraft engines.

It has taken until now for the NTSB to issue a full report that clearly indicates that it was the compressor coupling adapter that caused the crash that killed the pilot Russell L. Holiday and passengers James A. Thomas, Jody Laughman and her daughter Nicole.

The crash took place during a 45-minute tour of the Hawaii Volcanoes national Park, where it crashed into a lava field. Autopsies concluded that the victims died in the fire after the crash landing.

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers and were settled out of court earlier this year.