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HONOLULU (KITV) — The two passengers on board the “Robinson R-44” chopper that crashed at the Kaneohe sand bar two-days ago are back home in Illinois. They were released from the hospital on Oahu Tuesday.
Chicago-based news station, WGN, sat down with the couple Wednesday and found out this was their engagement trip. Monday was their last full day of vacation in Hawaii and it ended with a trip to the hospital.
“Somebody wants us to be together,” said Adam Barnett, one of the crash survivors.
Both Barnett and his fiance, Carli McConaughy, are reportedly nursing a number of injuries, like broken bones and cuts.
They flew home the same day the chopper was airlifted out of Kaneohe Bay. The tow company that took it away from Heeia Kea Pier said the aircraft appeared to be in one piece.
But the couple told the reporter the whole event was terrifying. Carli said the pilot passed out mid-flight.
“First, I kind of thought he was playing a bad trick on us,” she said. “Then when I realized, ‘oh no, he’s not waking up,’ I didn’t know what to do.”
That’s when Carli grabbed the controls and slowed their free fall.
When they hit the water, Adam said he came to his fiance’s rescue.
“About an inch from being underwater, the pilot was passed out on top of her,” he said.
The 57-year old pilot survived. His company, Novictor Oahu Helicopters, said he had a previously undiagnosed heart condition. He is expected to be released from the hospital in the next day or two.
Meanwhile, business is as usual at the helicopter tour company.
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