Two people died after a single-turboprop Cessna Caravan 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 aboard and crashed soon after taking off from the airport’s Runway 4-Left.
Officials did not immediately release the identities or ages of the victims.
The flight has been identified as Kamaka Air flight 689. The plane departed the Honolulu airport at 3:15 p.m. headed for Lanai Airport but never reached its destination, according to FlightAware.
Honolulu emergency responders arrived soon after the crash and confirmed that the two people aboard were dead, officials said.
The abandoned building is scheduled to be demolished, according to Sniffen, and no one was inside at the time of the crash.
Sniffen called the incident an “absolute tragedy” but he said it could have been “much, much worse” because the pilot appeared to have made several adjustments to “minimize impacts.” Sniffen said an airport fueling station was not far from the impact site.
He said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating.
Honolulu Fire Department Chief Sheldon Hao said the fire from the crash was contained to the exterior of the building and the downed aircraft, and that it was quickly extinguished. Hao said airport firefighters arrived first, followed by HFD and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.
Hao expressed condolences to the “Kamaka ohana.”
Jim Ireland, director of Honolulu EMS, said the crash happened just a couple of blocks from EMS headquarters and that first responders were on the scene soon after the crash.
A woman who works near the airport told Hawaii News Now 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 at about 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 the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The City’s Department of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation, and multiple first responder agencies, including the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department, have responded to the incident.”
Gov. Josh Green issued a statement, saying, “Shortly after three this afternoon, HDOT responded to a plane crash into an unoccupied building on Ualena Street.
“All airport facilities are operational; however, the roads surrounding the plane crash are closed. HDOT is coordinating with airport employees and Terminal 3 occupants to provide safe transportation to areas not needed for the response to the crash.
“Jaime’s and my hearts go out to the pilot and passenger and their families as well as to all who have experienced this traumatic event. Services are available to help you process what you have witnessed; call 2-1-1, Aloha United Way, for assistance. Our Department of Transportation team will provide all necessary support to federal officials, whose job 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 goods moving. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragedy during this incredibly difficult time.
“We also extend our gratitude to the first responders who swiftly arrived at the scene to provide assistance. The city stands ready to support Kamaka Air and all those affected in any way we can.”
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.