ʻTaken from us too soon’: Family, friends share messages following fatal helicopter crash

After three people were lost in a fatal helicopter crash near the Nāpali Coast last week, family and friends of those on board have shared messages of mourning. 

Pilot Guy Croydon, 69, was flying a Robinson R44 helicopter operating with the tour company Ali’i Kaua‘i Air Tours and Charters, when it crashed for reasons currently under investigation, on July 11. Also on board were passengers James Quintua, 60, and his wife Amy Nichole Ruark Quinta, 53. 

In a recent Facebook post, Mark Anderson shared fond memories of Croydon piloting a Kauaʻi helicopter tour he took with his wife two years ago.

“Guy took Paula and I up on this ride two years ago and it was an amazing experience. We are so shocked as Guy was an incredible pilot who took safety very seriously,” he wrote. 

“He took Paula and I through some in-depth safety instructions before we went up in the helicopter. We never felt our lives were in danger the whole time we were in the air. e hoʻomaha me ka maluhia Guy you will be missed.” 

After rescue crews reported searching the area for approximately 60 hours, the search for Croydon and James Quinta was suspended by the U.S. Coast Guard and county officials on Sunday. 

Amy Ruark Quinta’s body was recovered by Kauaʻi Ocean Safety Bureau lifeguards the day of the crash.

Her sister-in-law shared a statement to Fox19 following the loss, saying she was “one of the most kindhearted individuals you would ever meet.” 

“She and Jim had found each other and were soulmates. They were one of those couples that you would look at and be in awe of their love for each other. We loved Jim and his family as if he had always been part of the family.

“My other brother-in-law says Jim made everyone else look bad by the kind gestures he would do for others. People like them are irreplaceable. The world was a better place with them in it.”

According to WLWT, the two passengers married in 2015 and were on an annual visit to Kauaʻi to visit James Quinta’s family. The couple had resided in Amy’s hometown in northern Kentucky. 

Amy and James Quinta’s family is reportedly heading to Kauaʻi on Wednesday.

Corrections:

• An earlier version of this story included a statement made by the pilot’s widow in a public Facebook post, which has since been removed due to privacy considerations.