A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday when a small cargo plane, Kamaka Air Flight 689, crashed into a vacant building shortly after taking off from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The incident has claimed the lives of both pilots onboard.
The flight, which was a training mission, went down at around 3:15 p.m., resulting in a significant fire that sent thick black smoke into the air. Before crashing, the aircraft was heard communicating with air traffic control, indicating that it was losing control. Despite efforts from the control tower to assist the pilots in landing the plane safely, the disaster struck just moments later.
Kamaka Air’s CEO, David Hinderland, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, confirming that both of the deceased were valued members of the Kamaka Air team. While the identities of both pilots have not been officially released, family members identified one pilot as Hiram Defries, a young graduate from Punahou School, and the other as Preston Kaluhiwa, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.
The FAA reported that the aircraft, a single-engine Cessna 208, was en route to Lanai Airport in Maui County. Fortunately, there were no additional injuries reported, as the crash site was isolated from populated areas.
As investigations by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board commence, this tragic incident highlights the risks involved in aviation and training flights. The aviation community often comes together in the aftermath of such events to support those affected, showing resilience and commitment to safety improvements.
Despite the sorrow in the air, the hope remains that through investigations, lessons will be learned to prevent future tragedies and enhance the safety standards in aviation training.