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Investigators looking into report that drone struck Kauai tour helicopter

Rosemarie Bernardo

The Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources have initiated an investigation into a report of a drone that struck a tour helicopter on Kauai.

The collision reportedly occurred at about 1:45 p.m. Friday while the aircraft of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters was flying over the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park near Nualolo Kai.

“There were no reported injuries to the pilot or passengers,” said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor in an e-mailed statement. “The pilot reported scratches on the aircraft belly but no significant damage.”

The owner of the drone is unknown at this time.

A representative at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters declined to comment on the collision.

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