Pilot Identified, ATC Transcript Released

A transcript of the communication between the pilot of a sightseeing helicopter that went down during a flight near the Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, HI Thursday has been released.

The accident injured the pilot and four passengers on board, on fatally. All of the passengers were members of a family visiting the island from Canada. One passenger, a 16-year-old boy who was transported to a hospital, has since died of his injuries. Two others remain in a hospital, and one was treated and released, according to ABC News. Their names have not been released.

Television station KHON reports that according to a transcript, the pilot, who has been identified as Ryan Rohner, a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and Army National Guard warrant officer, told air traffic controllers he was having problems with the sightseeing aircraft.

Pilot: Tower, Chopper 8, I think I’m going down.
Tower: Chopper 8, roger. Okay chopper, you said (inaudible) of Ford Island, right?
Pilot: (Inaudible)
Tower: Okay Air 1, if you can check next to the Arizona Memorial, please.
Air 1: Arizona Memorial, on my way, ma’am.
Tower: Air 1, we have a report that he’s underwater.

Rhoner reportedly was able to control the Bell-206B belonging to Genesis Aviation as it went down, missing the visitor's center at the memorial and putting the aircraft down in the water near the shore. Several bystanders jumped into the water in an effort to help the pilot and passengers get to shore.

One witness reported that the helicopter was "sputtering" just prior to beginning to descent towards the water, according to a report from Hawaii News Now.

Civilian crews have salvaged the aircraft, and it has been moved to a secure hangar for inspection by the NTSB.

(Image from YouTube video posted by user mrmotofy)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov