A Coast Guard Helicopter has crashed about 6 miles off the reef runway.

Honolulu fire and police crews are at Keehi Lagoon, searching for the downed chopper.

It happened some time around 8:30 tonight. A HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crashed this evening approximately five miles south of Honolulu International Airport. The helicopter's four-man crew was conducting search and rescue drills.

KGMB9's Tim Sakahara reports from Keehi Boat Harbor.

Office of Public Affairs - U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release Date: Sept. 4, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs
(808) 535-3230

U.S. COAST GUARD HELICOPTER CRASHES OFF HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

HONOLULU -- A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crashed this evening approximately five miles south of Honolulu International Airport.

The helicopter's four-man crew was conducting search and rescue drills with a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Honolulu when it went down at 8:15 p.m. The Coast Guard was notified by the FAA and immediately launched a C-130 search plane from Air Station Barbers Point.

A crew on board an inbound Air Force C-17 to Honolulu International saw the Coast Guard helicopter go down and circled the site until a rescue boat from the Honolulu Fire Department could get on scene.

The 47-foot motor lifeboat is also on scene, as is the C-17, the C-130 and helicopters from the Honolulu Fire and Police Departments. The Coast Guard will meet with media at 10 p.m. outside the main base at Sand Island.

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