A helicopter on a routine trip crashed on a steep and narrow section of Waialae Iki Ridge yesterday morning, but the pilot and passenger on board suffered only minor injuries.

The passenger, Cris Caughill, chief engineer for Cox Radio Hawaii, was on his way to conduct routine maintenance on the company's radio transmission facility near the top of Wiliwilinui Trail.

The helicopter, operated by Makani Kai Helicopter Tours, reached the narrow landing spot when suddenly “;something happened,”; according to Caughill, forcing the pilot to made a hard landing at about 10:40 a.m.

The helicopter was about 10 to 15 feet above the ground when the pilot reacted, Caughill said. The pilot tried to pull the helicopter up and away from the ridge, but the chopper was too close and landed hard on the ground before rolling onto its right side.

“;We didn't get any warning,”; said Caughill, 38. “;I was looking at the landing spot, then all of a sudden, I was dangling upside down, suspended by my seat belt and looking at the sky. It was so fast.”;

The pilot was identified as Eiki Miyasato, 55, a 16-year veteran of the company.

    Chopper Makes Hard Landing Above Waialae Iki  

 

 

The helicopter's crew was performing routine maintenance to a tv and radio transmitter atop the ridge.

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Honolulu firefighters and police officers reached the crash scene about 20 minutes later. At 11:30 a.m. the firefighters transported Caughill and Miyasato to Waialae Iki Park.

“;It's fortunate they weren't entrapped or injured by the landing,”; said fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

Several firefighters told Miyasato, “;Great landing,”; as they left the park.

Richard Schuman, owner of Makani Kai Helicopter, said the company has already hired a salvage crew to recover the chopper, perhaps as early as today if weather permits.

“;They send a team to rig it up, and they bring in another helicopter to bring it off the mountain,”; he said.

He said the company also is working with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Caughill said he has been making the same trip about once a month for 22 years.

“;I feel really lucky that it didn't turn out any worse than it could have,”; Caughill said. “;I'm glad we're still here.”;