Problem forces Hawaiian Airlines plane to return to Kona airport

A Hawaiian Airlines plane heading from Kailua-Kona to Honolulu was forced to return to Kona International Airport shortly after takeoff on Thursday.

Hawaiian Airlines Flight 207, a Boeing 717, returned to the Big Island airport and landed without incident around 11:10 a.m., according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.

Hawaiian Airlines Director of External Communications Alison Croyle told West Hawaii Today that the plane departed the airport ontime at 10:43 a.m. Sometime thereafter, the aircraft’s captain “elected” to return to Kona because of a problem involving the plane’s hydraulic system.

The captain did declare an emergency to ensure priority landing at the airport, she said. After landing, the plane was towed to the gate.

All affected passengers were being accommodated on other flights.