>>15698552
pf points out that the S-61 SeaKing family of helos are used for heavy lift, oilfield support, firefighting, search and rescue, and other difficult and dangerous operations. Most of the S-61s are old but generally pretty reliable workhorses.
staradvertiser.com report suggests failure of drive to the tail rotor.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/02/22/breaking-news/pacific-missile-range-facility-officials-responding-to-possible-helicopter-crash-off-the-coast-of-kauai/
Chris Turner, owner and captain of Na Pali Riders, a company that offers Zodiac raft tours along the Na Pali Coast, witnessed the crash.
Turner said the helicopter flew over him and his patrons on their way back to Kikiaola Harbor as the aircraft was heading to the landing area by the airport.
“They practically went right over us as they came into the airstrip there before they crashed,” said Turner noting they were less than a third of a mile from the crash site.
The captain said the aircraft appeared normal at the time and that he didn’t hear any unusual sounds coming from the helicopter. The weather was also clear.
Turner saw the helicopter was at the north end of the runway and lowering items when at about 1,000 feet above the strip, the helicopter “erratically” made a sharp turn to the right and went nose down at an accelerated rate.
It swerved, went straight down, nose down right into the runway, Turner said.
The deadly crash happened in a matter of 10 seconds from the time the helicopter flew over the Zodiac to the point of impact.