Manassas Journal Messenger | Hawaii helicopter crash victims from Manassas
A Hawaiian affiliate of the Columbia Broadcasting Service, on the island of Kauai, reported Friday night that James and Teresa Wadiak, of 10654 Wolverine Court, near Manassas, died in a helicopter crash Wednesday.
The Associated Press in Lihue, Hawaii reported that the Wadiak’s were on the trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
The Bell 206B Jet Ranger, owned by Jack Harter Helicopters, lifted off at about 8 a.m. for a one-hour flight over the island Wednesday with the Wadiak’s, a couple from Colorado and a pilot, according to the Associated Press
Radio contact with the helicopter, piloted by Mark Lundgren, 44, a retired U.S. Navy pilot who knew the island well, was lost at 9 a.m., the Advertiser Kauai Bureau, reported.
National Transportation and Safety Board as well as Federal Aviation Administration officials flew over the crash site Thursday, but were unable to land, the Associated Press reported.
Cloud cover on the steep terrain of a mountain called Wai’ale’ale prevented rescuers from reaching the crash site until early Friday, said the Associated Press.
The news desk of KGMB-9 News said county officials confirmed the identifications of the crash victims on Friday.
Teresa Wadiak, 53, was a Fairfax County school teacher. Edward Wadiak, 55, owned a satellite tracking company, the Associated Press Reported.
Neighbors of the Wadiak’s did not wish to comment on the accident, but flags in their Bear Creek neighborhood flew at half staff.