Hawaiian Heli-Tour Hawaiian Heli-Tour IndustryIndustry

“Under the Radar”“Under the Radar”

AAJ Winter Convention 2010 AAJ Winter Convention 2010 The Danko Law FirmThe Danko Law Firm

Kristine Keala MeredithKristine Keala Meredith

The Business The Business 1 million passengers per year1 million passengers per year 1 out of 10 visit1 out of 10 visitors to Hawai’iors to Hawai’i $200,000,000 a$200,000,000 annuallynnually JobsJobs

““Fly like a tropical bird Fly like a tropical bird above two of the most above two of the most famous sites on Maui famous sites on Maui — Hana and Haleakala — Hana and Haleakala Crater — and Crater — and everywhere in-everywhere in-between.”between.”

““fly into the heart andfly into the heart and hheat of eat of

an an activeactive volcano”volcano”

“ “fly close enough to feel fly close enough to feel the waterfall’s cooling mist”the waterfall’s cooling mist”

Under the RadarUnder the Radar Minimal or No Government OversightMinimal or No Government Oversight No Insurance Requirements No Insurance Requirements Minimal Experience RequiredMinimal Experience Required Fleet’s Average AgeFleet’s Average Age

Recognized HazardsRecognized Hazards Proximity to terrainProximity to terrain Micro-weatherMicro-weather Mix of Heli and Mix of Heli and

Fixed WingFixed Wing No Radar CoverageNo Radar Coverage Operation outside Operation outside

of design limitsof design limits Lack of survival Lack of survival

equipmentequipment

Safety RecordSafety Record Vs. Other StatesVs. Other States 1991-1994 - 20 Tour Crashes1991-1994 - 20 Tour Crashes 2007 - a deadly year2007 - a deadly year Kauai: 5 fatals. Over 4 years, 18 Kauai: 5 fatals. Over 4 years, 18

fatalitiesfatalities Observed frequencyObserved frequency Safety Sell Safety Sell

JACK HARTERJACK HARTER

http://web.archive.org/web/20030728065250/http:/helicopters-kauai.chttp://web.archive.org/web/20030728065250/http:/helicopters-kauai.com/om/

Victim DemographicsVictim Demographics FamiliesFamilies Honeymooners/AnniversariesHoneymooners/Anniversaries TimesharesTimeshares

Why?Why?CausesCauses

– Engine failureEngine failure– WeatherWeather– Inadequate pre-flight plaInadequate pre-flight planningnning– Lack of survival equipmLack of survival equipmentent– Flying too low (CFIT anFlying too low (CFIT and Engine Failure)d Engine Failure)

Translation:Translation: Oversight Oversight

Cowboy mentalityCowboy mentalityCompetition for passengersCompetition for passengers

Under the RadarUnder the Radar Regulatory Regulatory

QuandariesQuandaries– Terrain Clearance vs. Terrain Clearance vs.

Weather AvoidanceWeather Avoidance– Terrain clearance vs. Terrain clearance vs.

Overwater Overwater OperationsOperations

– Terrain clearance vs. Terrain clearance vs. BookingsBookings

– Geographically Geographically specific regulationspecific regulation

Eurocopter AStar 350Eurocopter AStar 350

6 Pax – Facing Front6 Pax – Facing Front

Litigation ConsiderationsLitigation Considerations ExpertsExperts

– Accident ReconstructionAccident Reconstruction– PilotingPiloting– Metallurgy/MaterialMetallurgy/Material– WeatherWeather

Litigation ConsiderationsLitigation Considerations Working with the NTSBWorking with the NTSB

– Takes charge of wreckTakes charge of wreck– Investigation - PartiesInvestigation - Parties– ReportReport– Factual/Probable CauseFactual/Probable Cause– Evidentiary IssuesEvidentiary Issues

Litigation ConsiderationsLitigation Considerations GARAGARA Discovery in Foreign CountriesDiscovery in Foreign Countries InsuranceInsurance Mainland ExpertsMainland Experts Local CounselLocal Counsel Pro Hac VicePro Hac Vice

Aviation, Space, and Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine Environmental Medicine

ArticleArticleJuly 2009July 2009

Hawaiian Heli-Tour Hawaiian Heli-Tour IndustryIndustry

“Under the Radar”“Under the Radar”

AAJ Winter Convention – 2010AAJ Winter Convention – 2010Kristine Keala MeredithKristine Keala Meredith

The Danko Law FirmThe Danko Law Firm