Update Photos/Video: Coast Guard, Navy Respond to Downed Helicopter Off Moloka‘i

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: The Coast Guard has provided an update on the search for two people from a downed helicopter off the northwest side of Moloka‘i, Monday, Oct. 16.

Graphic of search patterns from various air, land and sea assets searching for two people from a downed helicopter off the northwest side of Molokai, Oct. 17, 2017. The helicopter was reported to have left Honolulu Monday on a day trip to Molokai and was on its way back when the incident occurred. (U.S. Coast Guard graphic/Released)

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point conducts an aerial search for two people from a downed helicopter off the northwest side of Molokai, Oct. 17, 2017. The helicopter was reported to have left Honolulu Monday on a day trip to Molokai and was on its way back when the incident occurred. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Released)

Responding are:

• 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), an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Honolulu
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island (WPB 1349), a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Honolulu
• MH-60R Seahawk helicopter aircrew from Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37
• Maui County Fire Department Air 1 helicopter aircrew and ground crews.

The Coast Guard says aircrews located debris along with chemlights approximately one and a half miles off shore. It has not yet been determined if this debris is actually from the helicopter.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Response Coordination Center received a call from the Honolulu International Airport control tower at 7:26 p.m. Monday, reporting they had lost communications with a Robinson R44 helicopter with two people aboard.

The helicopter was reported to have left Honolulu Monday on a day trip to Moloka‘i and was on its way back when the incident occurred.

Weather on scene is currently 25 mph winds out of the east-northeast with 15-foot seas.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

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Coast Guard and Navy crews responded to a report of a downed helicopter with two people aboard off the northwest side of Moloka‘i, last night, Monday, Oct. 16.

Responding are:

• 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), homeported in Honolulu, is en route.
• MH-60R Seahawk helicopter aircrew from Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37.

Aircrews located debris along with chemlights in the water.

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 a privately owned Robinson R44 helicopter with two people aboard.

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

Weather on scene is currently 30 mph winds out of the northeast with 12- to 15-foot seas.