2 people die when small plane crashes near Honolulu airport

Two people died after a Cessna Caravan single-turboprop plane crashed into an abandoned building near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu this afternoon, according to the state Department of Transportation.

DOT Director Ed Sniffen said the Kamaka Air training flight had two people on board and crashed shortly after taking off from the airport’s runway 4-left.

Officials did not immediately release the victims’ identities or ages.

The plane has been identified as Kamaka Air flight 689. The plane departed from Honolulu airport at 3:15 p.m. bound for Lanai Airport but never reached its destination, according to FlightAware.

Honolulu emergency services arrived shortly after the crash and confirmed the two people on board were dead, officials said.

According to Sniffen, the abandoned building is scheduled to be demolished, and no one was inside at the time of the crash.

Sniffen called the incident an “absolute tragedy,” but said it could have been “much, much worse” because the pilot appeared to have made several adjustments to “minimize the impacts.” Sniffen said an airport gas station was not far from the impact site.

He said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the matter.

Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon Hao said the fire from the crash was confined to the exterior of the building and the downed plane and was quickly extinguished. Hao said airport firefighters arrived first, followed by HFD and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

Hao expressed condolences to “Kamaka ohana.”

Jim Ireland, director of Honolulu EMS, said the crash happened just a few blocks from EMS headquarters and that first responders were on the scene shortly after the crash.

A woman who works near the airport told Hawaii News Now that she saw a small blue and white plane pass by her seventh-floor office window and then heard a loud bang.

Heavy black smoke was seen in the area near the air cargo facilities.

“Ualena and Aolele streets near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are closed due to a plane crash,” DOT officials said in an alert around 3:37 p.m. shortly after the crash.

The streets were reopened just before 6 p.m

City officials said in a statement, “The Honolulu Emergency Operations Center is partially activated in response to the incident near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The city’s Emergency Management Division is monitoring the situation and multiple first responders, including the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Police Department, have responded to the incident .”

Governor Josh Green issued a statement saying, “Shortly after three this afternoon, HDOT responded to an aircraft crash into an unoccupied building on Ualena Street.

“All airport facilities are operational; however, roads surrounding the aircraft crash are closed. HDOT is coordinating with airport staff and Terminal 3 residents to provide safe transportation to areas not needed to respond to the crash.

“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 separate statement: “This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the dedication and risks taken by those who help keep Hawaii’s essential commodities moving. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected of this tragedy at this incredibly difficult time.

“We also express our gratitude to 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.”

This latest news will be updated as more information becomes available.