HANAPEPE — A dive team has joined the group of rescuers searching for a passenger and pilot of an ultralight that crashed this morning off the South Shore. As of 4 p.m., the two people, including a 49-year-old woman and
HANAPEPE — A dive team has joined the group of rescuers searching for a passenger and pilot of an ultralight that crashed this morning off the South Shore.
As of 4 p.m., the two people, including a 49-year-old woman and 55-year-old James “Jimbo” Gaither — the owner of Big Sky Kaua‘i — had not been located.
“We are searching and we’re very hopeful to find the pilot and tourist that were on board,” said Petty Officer Michael De Nyse, a spokesman for the 14th U.S. Coast Guard District.
The aircraft, owned by Big Sky Kaua‘i, was reportedly seen crashing into the ocean by a kayaker in waters along Kaua‘i’s South Shore near Kalaheo at around 11:40 a.m., a county news release states. It is believed that two people were on board.
Police dispatch received a call at approximately 11:41 a.m. from the kayaker, and lifeguards were dispatched from Po‘ipu to confirm the report. The lifeguards confirmed what appeared to be wreckage and an oil slick in the water. It has not yet been determined how far off shore the crash may have occurred.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department has deployed a boat and helicopter for the search. Assisting in the effort are County of Kaua‘i lifeguards, the Kaua‘i Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Read more here and in Wednesday’s edition of The Garden Island.
