A helicopter crashed Thursday into the Pacific Ocean a quarter of a mile off the coast of Kauai, one of the Hawaiian Islands.

One person was found dead, with two others missing.

The helicopter, operated by Ali’i Kauai Air Tours & Charters, was flying near Hanakoa Valley off the island’s Na Pali Coast when, at 1:20 p.m., it plummeted into the ocean. 

Hikers along the Kalalau Trail witnessed the crash and reported it to police, the Kauai Police Department said in a release.

The one body was found at 2:25 p.m. The police didn’t name any of the people on the aircraft. 

“We are incredibly sad to hear of the life tragically lost today and the two other individuals who are still missing after a helicopter crashed into waters off Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. … Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved,” Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said.

While local and state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard search for the other two people who were on board the chopper, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be looking into the cause of the crash.

The incident investigation will be led by the NTSB, the FAA said. Hawaii leads the nation in air tour crashes, having suffered 85 such incidents since the NTSB began keeping track of them, according to CNN.

Ali’i Kauai Air Tours & Charters has not responded to a request for comment.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.