WAIMEA, Kauai — One person has died in a crash of an ultralight aircraft in Kokee, Kauai County officials said Tuesday.
It’s not known if any other victims were involved in the crash, The county said in a statement.
A caller notified police dispatch of a fire in the area Tuesday morning. An initial investigation revealed the fire was caused by the crash of an ultralight aircraft. Firefighters were on the scene, the county said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
Gregor described the aircraft as a weight-shift-control aircraft.
The light sport aircraft is registered to a tour company called Birds in Paradise LLC that operates out of the Port Allen airport in Hanapepe. A message left on the company’s answering machine was not immediately returned. The company’s website says it has been operating powered gliders over Kauai for 22 years.
Kokee is a remote spot high in the mountains of western Kauai. It’s the site of a popular state park with views of the Kalalau Valley from elevation of 4,000 feet. It’s popular for hiking, camping and picnicking.