Parts from both helicopters that crashed on-island earlier this month are in the possession of the National Transportation Safety Board’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., spokesman Keith Holloway said yesterday.

That is the most up-to-date information the NTSB has released on its two investigations into the accidents that happened within four days of each other. The first fatal accident happened in Princeville on March 8 and the second in Ha‘ena on March 11.

Both helicopter tour companies operated the flights under Part 135 commercial air tour regulations, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said. Under Part 91, pilots can only fly within 25 miles of an airport and must fly without stops. That section deals primarily with private pilots, while Part 135 is a more stringent set of rules for commercial tours, Gregor said.

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(Source: Amanda C. Gregg, Kauai Garden Island News)