Plane Crash Kills 2 Near Honolulu Airport
A Kamaka Air Cessna 208 Caravan was conducting a training flight when it crashed into a vacant state-owned building, officials said.
Two people were killed when a plane crashed into a building near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
State officials said a Kamaka Air Cessna 208 Caravan was conducting a training flight when it crashed into a state-owned building after 3 p.m. on Aolele Street. The building was vacant at the time and slated for demolition.
Both people on board died.
Multiple first responder agencies, including the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department, responded to the incident.
Nancy Timco works just down the street.
鈥淚 was sitting at my desk and all of a sudden, I saw a small plane fly past my office window, which is on the seventh floor. And I went, 鈥極h, he鈥檚 really, really low,’ and he started banking and going back towards the airport, and then I heard a loud bang,鈥 she said.
Based in Hawaii and founded in 1993, Kamaka Air operates as an interisland airline and logistics company that provides air cargo services such as charter service and per-pound service.
According to audio transmissions from Kamaka Air 689, the pilot told the control tower, 鈥淲e鈥檙e out of control here.鈥
Tower: Kamaka Flight 689, you鈥檙e turning right, correct?
Pilot: Kamaka 689, we are, we have, uh, we鈥檙e out of control here.
Tower: Okay, Kamaka 689, if you can land, if you can level it off, that鈥檚 fine. Any runway, any place you can do.
The state Department of Transportation said the pilot made adjustments to minimize impacts from the crash.
David Hinderland, Kamaka Air CEO, said the names of the pilots wouldn’t be released until family members “have had a chance to process this tragedy.”
“In the meantime, we are making ourselves available to the Hawaiian Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration for investigation into this accident,” he said in a statement. “We will also share appropriate information with the media as it is confirmed over the coming hours and days.”
All airport facilities remained operational, but Ualena and Aolele streets were closed for several hours.
Gov. Josh Green said services are available for witnesses, including calling 2-1-1 and Aloha United Way for assistance.
“Jaime’s and my hearts go out to the pilot and passenger and their families as well as to all who have experienced this traumatic event,” he said in a statement.
“Our Department of Transportation team will provide all necessary support to federal officials, whose job it will be to investigate this incident and determine a cause, which may not be known for some time,” he said.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also expressed condolences.
“This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the dedication and risks taken by those who help keep 贬补飞补颈驶颈’s essential goods moving,” he said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragedy during this incredibly difficult time.”
