A "beloved" NSW great-grandmother is one of three people killed in a helicopter crash in Hawaii.
The tour helicopter spun out of control and crashed nose-first into a road before bursting into flames in Kailua near Honolulu on Monday local time.
All three people on board died including East Maitland woman Jan "Jammie" Burgess.
Her family released a statement on Wednesday describing the loss of their "beloved" mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
"Jammie was on holidays with other family members when she was involved in this tragic incident," the family said.
"We are all in pain at this time."
The family said it was mindful the tragic incident affected two other families and thanked the "brave and selfless" efforts of the local community members who rushed to the scene to help.
Tributes have been flowing for Ms Burgess on Facebook.
"My heart goes out to my cousin Renee and Tony Burgess. Losing a parent can't be easy. RIP Tony and Renee's mum," Natalie Burgess posted.
"How very sad. Wonderful lady. RIP," Brenda Holland said.
A foreign affairs department spokesperson told AAP the Australian government was providing consular assistance to Ms Burgess' family.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration said the circumstances of the crash involving the four-seat Robinson R44 aircraft were unknown.
Witnesses told reporters in Honolulu they saw fire and helicopter parts in the sky before the aircraft plummeted to the ground.
Share
