2 killed when plane crashes into abandoned building near Honolulu airport
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Two people were killed when a plane crashed into a building near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
It happened at around 3.05pm on Aolele Street.
State officials said a Kamaka Air Cessna 208 Caravan was conducting a training flight when it crashed into a vacant state-owned building slated for demolition.
Both people on board died.
Several first responder offices, including the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Police Department, responded to the incident.
A witness who works in the area tells Hawaii News. Now he heard a loud crash and saw a plane on fire.
“I was working and all of a sudden there was a high, a big boom and I looked out and there were just some nasty clouds of smoke and my colleagues told me that a plane had crashed right next to our building,” he said .
Nancy Timco works just down the street.
“I 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 said, ‘Oh, he’s really, really short,’ and he started banging and walking back toward the airport, and then I heard a loud bang,” she said.
Fire officials said the plane hit the exterior stairwell area and the flames were confined to the exterior of the building.
Based in Hawaii and founded in 1993, Kamaka Air operates as an inter-island airline and logistics company providing 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, “We’re out of control here.”
Tower: Kamaka Flight 689, you’re turning right, right?
Pilot: Kamaka 689, we’re, we’ve, uh, we’re out of control here.
Tower: Okay, Kamaka 689, if you can land, if you can level it, that’s fine. Any runway, any place you can do.
The state DOT said the pilot made adjustments to minimize the impacts of the crash.
Witnesses driving in the area at the time caught the crash on dash cam video. Warning: Viewers may find the video below disturbing.
David Hinderland, Kamaka Air CEO, issued the following statement:
“It is with heavy hearts that Kamaka Air confirms the loss of two members of the Kamaka Air family in an accident at 3:13 this afternoon near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. We are not releasing the names of the pilots until family members have had a chance to process this tragedy, and we hope the media will give them the same consideration.
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 the investigation of this accident, and we will also share relevant information with the media as it is confirmed over the coming period. hours and days.
At this time, we ask for your patience as you know the urgency of getting correct information to not only provide a clear understanding of what happened, but to ensure that the information is handled correctly.”
All airport facilities remained operational, but Ualena and Aolele streets were closed for several hours.
Governor Josh Green said in a statement:
“Jaimes and my hearts go out to the pilot and passenger and their families as well as anyone who experienced this traumatic event. Services are available to help you process what you witnessed; call 2-1-1 , Aloha United Way, for assistance. Our Department of Transportation team will provide all necessary support to federal officials whose task it will be to investigate this incident and determine a cause, which may not be known for some time.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash on Oʻahu this afternoon that claimed the lives of two Kamaka Air employees. On behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those we lost.
This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the commitment and risks taken by those who help keep Hawai’i’s essential commodities moving. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy at this incredibly difficult time.
We also thank the first responders who quickly arrived on the scene to provide assistance. The city stands ready to support Kamaka Air and all those affected in any way we can.”
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