A tragic helicopter crash incident at the Hawaii US Navy base has led to four casualties on Tuesday morning. Croman Corporation was operating the helicopter that crashed, a firm that “provides range support services,” a spokesperson from the Pacific Missile Range Facility confirmed.
They also confirmed the helicopter was part of a training operation taking place at the Kauai, Hawaii Pacific Missile Range Facility around 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday. All four of those who got fatally injured were Croman employees. Their identities have not been released or made public yet. The director of operations for Croman Corporation, Brian Beattie said, “The helicopter was conducting routine training operations under contract to the U.S. Navy. No further details are available.”
The US Navy spokesperson from the facility said investigation is currently underway to determine the cause behind the crash. The Pacific Missile Range Facility where the crash happened is located on western side of the Kauai County, used by the US Navy for exercises, drills and to test defense technology. It is reportedly the “world’s largest instrumented, multi-dimensional testing and training missile range,” with 42,000 square miles of airspace within their control.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed via a statement that they are investigating the Sikorsky S-61N helicopter crash. Built by Sikorsky Aircraft, the helicopter now belonged to the Aerospace company ‘Lockheed Martin’.
“NTSB is investigating the Feb. 22, 2022, crash of a Sikorsky S-61N helicopter near Kekaha, Hawaii.” says National Transportation Safety Board’s Twitter account. A spokesperson from the Kauai County, apart from the US Navy spokesperson also confirmed the incident and what transpired after the crash. Kauai police helped the Navy in securing the perimeters, as firefighters and other police staff assisted with other emergency aid in the crash. Coco Zickos, the County spokesperson, also confirmed Kauai police are assisting the navy with the investigation behind the crash.
