HONOLULU -- The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for a man who was aboard a helicopter when it went down in the Pacific Ocean.

On Saturday, Coast Guard officials said they found more debris from the area where the helicopter crashed, and they said the search area has been widely expanded.

District Commander Rear Adm. Mandson Brown was personally leading the search Saturday, and he said he was going to meet with the crew on the Coast Guard's small boats who witnessed Friday's crash.

Officials said they have found some debris, but the aircraft's black box, which may have recorded the crew's final transmissions, has not been found.

"Today we recovered some panels. They were brought about the cutters at Sand Island, and they will be transferred to Hickam, where they will be assembled by the investigators from both the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board," Coast Guard Lt. John Titchen said.

Saturday's search area was about five times the size of the island of Oahu, Titchen said.

The guard said it has been fortunate because the search conditions are ideal, and it said it's been saturating the search area with resources, including three of its helicopters.

"It's more or less from Diamond Head to Barbers Point, which is Mamala Bay. It's 40 miles out and 35 miles wide. It's a larger area we've accounted for drift," Titchen said.

The search has been going around the clock, and the guard said it has asked for backup help from fellow coast officials.

A team of about 25 has arrived on the island.

"The Coast Guard has brought in more air crews from San Francisco Air Station-Humbolt Bay and Kodiak to insure we have good coverage out there at Barbers Point," Titchen said. "In addition, we have partnered with the Navy and Marine Corp. base-Kaneohe, so we can take care of our needs father from shore."

The Coast Guard said it plans to continue its search through Sunday.