A tragic incident occurred involving a small cargo plane on a training flight that crashed into a vacant building shortly after taking off from Honolulu’s airport, resulting in the fatalities of both pilots onboard. The crash, identified as Kamaka Air Flight 689, took place around 3:15 p.m. at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Video footage captured the aircraft struggling to maintain control at a low altitude before colliding with the building, which sent a thick plume of black smoke into the air. Communication between the control tower and the pilots revealed distress signals as they attempted to stabilize the aircraft. Sadly, despite the tower’s guidance to level off for a potential landing, the crash occurred shortly thereafter.
Company CEO David Hinderland expressed deep sorrow over the loss, confirming that both casualties were part of the Kamaka Air family. Although names have not been officially released, family members have identified one pilot as Hiram Defries, who was in his 20s and a graduate of Punahou School, while the other, Preston Kaluhiwa, was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.
The single-engine Cessna 208 was en route to Lanai Airport in Maui County and is indicative of Kamaka Air’s operations, which primarily focus on freight delivery services for individuals and businesses. Fortunately, there were no additional injuries reported from the incident.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are launching investigations to determine the cause of the crash. This sad event draws attention to the importance of safety in aviation training and operations. As investigations proceed, it is essential to support the families affected and honor the memory of the individuals lost.
In light of the tragedy, it serves as a reminder of the risks associated with aviation and the dedicated work that pilots undertake in their training and operations. The industry’s commitment to safety remains a priority, with ongoing evaluations and improvements being crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future.