What was meant to be a dream sightseeing trip turned into a nightmare for five people onboard a scenic helicopter tour in Bali – all because of a single kite string.
A Bell Jet 505 helicopter operated by PT Whitesky Aviation crashed near Pecatu, Bali, shortly after take-off when its main rotor got caught in a kite line. The aircraft plummeted roughly 300 metres, but miraculously, all passengers and the pilot survived. The shocking mid-air emergency was captured on video by an Australian passenger and has since gone viral.
Helicopter Plunges Mid-Flight: “I Thought I Was Going to Burn to Death”
Australian tourist Harris and his Indonesian girlfriend Kayla had joined the sightseeing flight with three other passengers on what was supposed to be a relaxing aerial view of Bali’s coastline.
Just three minutes after take-off, the helicopter began spinning out of control. It was later confirmed that a kite string had wrapped around the main rotor, jamming the flight mechanism and sending the aircraft into a spiralling descent.
“The impact flipped me upside down. I couldn’t release my seatbelt,” Harris told Australian media. “I saw some liquid dripping inside the cabin and thought it was fuel. I seriously believed I was going to die in a fireball.”
Kayla, who also sustained injuries, revealed the accident had turned their lives upside down. “I lost my job, I couldn’t care for my child. Everything collapsed after that crash,” she said tearfully.
Aviation Company Allegedly Cut Off Support Within 3 Months
Adding insult to injury, the couple claimed that Whitesky Aviation offered to cover their medical expenses and accommodation – but stopped financial assistance after just three months.
“They gave us hope but then just ghosted us,” Harris said. “We had to pay for hospital bills out of our own pockets. They don’t even reply to our messages anymore.”
Whitesky Aviation has yet to release an official statement addressing the victims’ compensation claims. Aviation experts are now raising concerns over the lack of regulatory enforcement regarding kite flying near flight paths – a known hazard in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
High-Risk Airspace: Kite Flying a Growing Threat Near Airports
This incident has reignited public outcry over unregulated kite flying in populated areas. Bali, like many Southeast Asian locations, sees a surge of recreational kite flying during festive periods, often in areas dangerously close to flight zones. With thin nylon strings capable of damaging rotors and aircraft engines, even small kites can become a deadly threat to aviation safety.
Experts are calling for stricter enforcement and public education campaigns to prevent similar tragedies. For Harris and Kayla, however, the damage is already done – physically, emotionally, and financially.
“I still have nightmares,” Harris admitted. “Every time I hear a helicopter overhead, I freeze.”
This incident is a chilling reminder that even in paradise, danger can come from the most unexpected sources — like a child’s kite string hanging in the sky.