Pacific Flight Academy's N83PF Ditching

N83PF (msn 412A), a Sling LSA owned by Pacific Flight Academy, ditched two miles from LUP. This LSA was on a flight on a round-trip training flight out of HNL, and was on final approach for LUP's Runway 5. It went down at 11:43HAST, and both occupants extricated themselves, and swam to the Kalaupapa National Park.

Further information in this KITV Island News report.

Makani Kai Air's N865MA Crashes At LUP

Makani Kai Air's C208B Grand Caravan N865MA (msn 208B0996) was involved in a hard landing at LUP this morning. Thankfully, none of the nine passengers nor pilot were injured. N865MA suffered damage to both wings, collapsed nose gear, and propellor, and appears to be not flyable. Reports also say that there was a Cessna 172, N243SP (msn 172S8212), owned by Sky Dolphin [Honolulu, HI], that allegedly cleared the runway, but did not, which could classify this as a runway incursion. Later reports say that the C172 was in the turn-around, and the C208 pilot over-reacted, and their actions caused the accident.

Further information in this KHON2 News report.

Makani Kai's N687MA Ditches Near LUP

N687MA (msn 208B1002), one of the two Makani Kai Air's Cessna C208B Grand Caravans ditched in the waters a half-mile from LUP around 15:45HST. According to news reports, one of the eight passengers died. Some passengers were rescued by the Maui Fire Department, and the US Coast Guard also rescued some of the passengers. One of those on board, swam back to shore. The Grand Caravan went down shortly after take-off from LUP. The passenger that perished in the crash was Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy.

Continuing coverage in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

Our condolences go out to Ms Fuddy's family, and thoughts and prayers go out to the crash survivors.

The above photo was taken in late October 2013.

Pacific Wings Caravan Clips Pole At LUP

A Pacific Wings C208B Caravan clipped a light pole at LUP while taxiing, last week (date unknown). N303PW (msn 208B0985), was the Caravan involved in the accident. According to sources, none of the passengers nor the pilot were injured. The Caravan, however, sustained damage to the starboard wing. It's not known whether the aircraft can be repaired there. There's speculation that the Caravan will need to be shipped back to HNL by boat.

Photo of the incident involving N303PW.

N303PW was originally painted in the wave-themed Pacific Wings livery, but the C208B was later assigned to Georgia Skies (a Pacific Wings EAS subsidiary). N303PW was recently brought back to Hawai‘i, without the Georgia Skies markings.