Accident Details
Scenic Air Tours flight 21, a Beech H18 registered as N34AP, was operating as an air taxi sightseeing flight from Hilo to Kahului, Hawaii. The pilot departed at approximately 1300 HST and proceeded northwest along the coastline at an altitude of about 2,000 feet. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a scenic canyon area near a waterfall in Waipio Valley, approximately 50 miles northeast of Hilo. Impact occurred at an elevation of about 2,800 feet, roughly 600 to 900 feet below the canyon rim. No preimpact mechanical problem of the aircraft or engines was found.
Pilot Maneuvers
A passenger on a previous sightseeing flight reported that the pilot had maneuvered below the rim of a canyon. Company officials stated that flying below canyon rims was against company policy; however, the operations manual did not contain any guidance or cautions regarding such operations.
Aftermath
All 11 occupants were killed in the accident.