What happened
On an afternoon air taxi and sightseeing mission from Hilo to Kahului, Hawaii, a Beech H18, registration N34AP, departed at roughly 1300 hst. Following its departure, the aircraft traveled northwest alongside the coastline while maintaining an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet.
The flight eventually struck terrain within a scenic canyon near a waterfall in Waipio Valley, located about 50 miles northeast of Hilo. The impact took place at an elevation of roughly 2,800 feet, which was situated between 600 and 900 feet below the canyon rim. This accident resulted in 11 fatalities.
Findings
Investigations revealed that there were no mechanical issues with the engines or the airframe prior to the impact. A passenger from a separate, earlier flight noted that the pilot had performed maneuvers below the canyon's edge. While company regulations prohibited flying below canyon rims, the operator's manual lacked specific instructions or warnings regarding such operations.
The crash was driven by the pilot's decision to maneuver with inadequate altitude while navigating the canyon terrain. Contributing elements included the challenging landscape and a lack of clear safety procedures from the operator regarding sightseeing flight conduct.