The Hawaiian Islands offer spectacular sights, sounds and scenery. From military installations and local island airports, tourists and service members take to the sky for transportation, training and the breathtaking experience of Hawaii from above.
Some scenic experiences are only available from the sky. With a geography that offers mountains, ocean and volcanic activity, Hawaii is hard to beat. But air travel is not without hazards. Aviation accidents involving helicopters and airplanes sometimes result in injury and death.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), six investigations were opened into aviation accidents each year in 2011 and 2010, down from nine in 2009. But do these statistics register the reality of an aviation accident?
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In November 2011, a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour from Maui to Molokai ended tragically when the helicopter struck a mountain, exploding in a ball of flame that took five lives.
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In 2007, a Sunshine Helicopters craft bound for Kapalua crash-landed shortly after take-off, injuring five of six people on aboard.
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Also in 2007, a Northwest Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, seriously injuring a flight attendant and two passengers when the aircraft suddenly dropped 1,300 feet just off Honolulu.
If you or a family member is injured in Hawaii, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate a legal claim. Parties potentially liable for aviation accidents include:
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Tour operators
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Pilots and aircraft owners
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Manufacturers and maintenance personnel
Air travel and tourism in Hawaii can be beautiful — and hazardous. If you got more than you bargained for, or a loved one was seriously injured, speak with reputable legal counsel about compensation for your losses.
