HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue searching for survivors after two aircraft crashed off Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu, Friday.
Responders are searching for survivors in a debris field located approximately seven miles offshore that stretches from Mokule’ia Beach to Turtle Bay.
“The Coast Guard is asking that people use extreme caution along the coastal area surrounding the wreckage site which stretches from Mokule’ia Beach to Turtle Bay,” says Lt. Scott Carr, Coast Guard 14th District public affairs officer. “We are urging people to stay out of the water and off the beaches due to debris that could pose potential risk and cause serious bodily harm.”
At 11:38 p.m. Thursday, watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification of two possible downed military helicopters each reportedly with six personnel aboard.
Watchstanders at the Sector transferred the case to the Coast Guard District 14 Command Center, also in Honolulu. Watchstanders at the District directed the launch of Coast Guard aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point and requested assistance from other local agencies.
Crews involved in the search are:
MH-65 Dolphin helicopter
HC-130 Hercules airplane
2 Navy warships
MH-60 helicopter crew from the 37th Helicopter Squadron out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Honolulu Fire Department
Helicopter Rescue Boat
Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska
Weather conditions are 17 to 23 mph winds, 16 foot swells with 30 to 40 foot surf and one mile visibility.
A high surf advisory is in effect for the north facing shore of Oahu with 10 to 15 foot waves building to 25 to 30 waves later in the day.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Marine Corps.
For questions specific to the Marine Corps please contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs officer at 808-216-7183.
Members of the public who locate wreckage debris are cautioned against recovering it themselves. They are instead asked to call (808) 257-8458 or (808) 257-3023.