Tragically, two pilots lost their lives in a small plane crash near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Tuesday afternoon. The incident involves a Kamaka Air Cessna 208, which was engaged in a training flight when it crashed into an abandoned building at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, according to Ed Sniffen, director of Hawaii’s Department of Transportation.
Sniffen clarified that this was not a charter flight but rather a training exercise, stating, “Two souls were on board. Both perished.” The crash occurred in a vacant building owned by the Department of Transportation. Witnesses noted that the pilots showed significant skill in avoiding other nearby structures, including a fuel storage area, that could have worsened the impact.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident. Early audio transmissions from the flight indicate a dire situation, as air traffic control instructed, “You’re turning right, correct?” to which the pilot replied, “We’re out of control here.”
Eyewitnesses described the plane flying unusually low before hearing a loud explosion, followed by smoke rising into the air. Nancy Timko, one such witness, recounted from her seventh-floor office, “I saw a small plane fly past my office window… and then I heard a loud bang.”
Firefighters managed to contain the resulting fire, which affected only the exterior of the building, hitting an exterior stairwell area with a debris field extending about 50 feet. Kamaka Air expressed its sorrow in a statement, confirming the loss of two valued members of its team, though the names of the pilots have not been disclosed.
Following the crash, airport operations continued as normal, although Ualena and Aolele streets nearby were temporarily closed. Hawaii Governor Josh Green expressed his condolences, stating, “Jaime’s and my hearts go out to the pilot and passenger and their families.”
In a related note, Sniffen shared that the building which was struck had already been slated for demolition prior to the incident and will be taken down soon.
This incident underscores the risks associated with aviation training and the need for stringent safety measures. As investigations proceed, there is hope that insights gained may enhance future training protocols and overall aviation safety.