US Navy, Coast Guard searching for downed helicopter off Hawaii

The US Navy and Coast Guard have sent aircraft and vessel crews in response to reports of a crashed helicopter of the coast of Molokai, Hawaii, October 16.

According to the coast guard, the downed helicopter is a privately owned Robinson R44 helicopter with two people aboard.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Response Coordination Center received a call from the Honolulu International Airport control tower at 7:26 p.m., reporting they had lost communications with the helicopter.

The helicopter was reported to have left Honolulu today on a day trip to Molokai and was on its way back.

Units taking part in search efforts include HC-130 Hercules airplane and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers
Point, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ahi (WPB 87364) and a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter aircrew from Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37.

The coast guard said the aircrews located debris along with chemlights in the water.