Missing pilot, search suspended after helicopter crash in Hawaii

The US Coast Guard and local authorities on Sunday suspended their search for two missing people, including the 69-year-old pilot of a helicopter that crashed off Hawaii’s Na Pali coast.

Rescue crews searched for about 60 hours, covering more than 830 square miles, officials said. The search was called off at 2pm local time on Sunday with pilot Guy Croydon and passenger James Quintua, 60, still missing.

Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau lifeguards recovered the body of 53-year-old Amy Nichole Ruark Quintua on Thursday. She was unresponsive, officials said.

The US National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.

“We would like to thank our partners in Kauai County for their professionalism and organization, which made this unified response very effective,” said Coast Guard Commandant Kristen Hahn, search and rescue mission coordinator with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu .

“While this event was a tragedy for both the families and the community, I am relieved that our responders were able to collect some debris and exhaust our search efforts, which may provide closure for all involved.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Guy Croydon, James and Amy Nichole Ruark Quintua,” Mayor Derek SK Kawakami said.

“We are truly grateful for the efforts of our search and rescue teams, partner agencies and the community during this operation.”

The incident aircraft was a Robinson R44 helicopter from Ali’i Kauai Air Tours and Charter in Kauai, officials said. Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth largest island, known for its lush valleys, sharp mountain peaks, and tropical rainforests.

On social media, hundreds of people offered tributes and condolences, including members of the families involved in the crash.

“We are all in shock and heartbroken,” wrote Holly Croydon, who said Guy Croydon was her uncle.

“To everyone involved in the search and their families, we are so grateful for all you have done to find my husband, Jim and Amy,” wrote Ann McKenna Croydon. “We will always be grateful.”

“The guy was such a good person,” wrote Bridget Collins. “He will be missed.”