Transair Hawaii's N737CS

Transair Hawaii (flying as Rhoades Aviation) will be ferrying N737CS (c/n 23273, l/n 1089) to TNN, via MAJ and GUM, for a C-check before it can resume scheduled cargo operations. This 737-2T4C is the first of two 737-200Cs that the inter-island cargo airline will send to TNN for a C-check. N737CS flew a test flight yesterday.

20 November 2025 UPDATE

N737CS departed for TNN today as RDS737, and will make stops at MAJ and GUM.

Rhoades Aviation's Inter-Island Focus

According to an application for Certificate of Conveyance and Public Necessity filed with the US Department of Transportation, Rhoades Aviation / Transair Hawaii, noted their main cargo operations focus will be on the inter-island market. The airline plans to return to service this December, after it was cleared to resume operations by the FAA in April 2025.

In order to return to service, two Rhoades Aviation 737-200Cs currently listed as active, must undergo C-Checks. N306AL (c/n 23066, l/n 992), N326TR (c/n 20917, l/n 344), N737CS (c/n 23272, l/n 1093),  and N809TA (c/n 23796, l/n 1420) are the remaining 737s, but no two airframes were specified in the application.

Since Rhoades grounded their 737-200Cs in July 2021, they spend time in storage outside the Transair Hawaii maintenance hangar, though N306AL has been seen towed to the Transair Hawaii operations ramp, and has taxied out to Taxiway R for engine run-ups within the past few months.

Trans Air Hawaii's N221LM Belly Landing

TransAir Hawaii's Short Brothers SD3-60F (200), N221LM (msn SH3722), landed gear-up on Runway 4R this morning. Operating as MUI6 from KOA, it belly landed at 08:52. HNL's ARFF trucks responded, there were no injuries reported.

The ReverseOps YouTube channel caught the final approach on their live stream this morning, at 02:12:21 on the timeline.

This was N221LM from a photo taken this past April, taxiing to the TransAir Hawaii operations ramp.

Rhoades Aviation Cleared To Resume Operations

Rhoades Aviation, the 737-200F operations of Transair Hawaii, has been cleared to resume operations by the FAA. The airline stated that they are aiming for the restart in the fourth quarter of this year. Since Rhoades' operations were suspended following the crash of N810TA, and revocation of their operating certificate, the four remaining 737-200Fs sat at their hangar, or on their ramp.

The four remaining 737-200Fs are:

N306AL | 23066 | 992 | -2T4C/A

N326TR | 20917 | 344 | -210C/A

N737CS | 23272 | 1093 | -2T4C/A

N809TA | 23796 | 1420 | -209F/A

TransAir's 737-2Q8/A N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) has continued to operate as this passenger 737 is separate from the Rhoades Aviation certificate.

Further details in this CH-Aviation.com article.

USDOT Revokes Rhoades Certificate

CH-Aviation reports that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has revoked Rhoades Aviation's certificate of public convenience and necessity, effectively shutting the airline down. Rhoades can reapply after a period of one year. The FAA already had revoked its operating certificate on 30 January 2023.

FAA Proposes Rhoades Aviation AOC Revocation

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to revoke the Air Operators Certificate for Rhoades Aviation (dba TransAir Hawaii) for numerous safety violations. The proposal cites general violations, as well as violations with their 737-200 operations. Their four 737-200Fs have been grounded since the crash of N810TA in July 2021.  Rhoades Aviation has 15 days to respond to the FAA notice.

However, the lone passenger 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) has been operating as MUI1 quite frequently of late. It's not flying under Rhoades' RDS flight code, as it's registered to TransAir Hawaii.

TransAir Hawaii's Short SD360s have continued to operate cargo flights.

Further information in this FAA News Alert.

25 May 2022 UPDATE

According to the Star*Advertiser, Rhoades Aviation plans to dispute the FAA's proposal.

On another note, Transair Hawaii sold their 737-4Q8F, N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), to Frontera Flight Holdings this past April. It was re-registered as N388TM, and ferried from DHN to SLW. It's due to be sold to Aeronaves TSM [México].

FAA Grounds TransAir's 737 Ops

According to a KITV report, the FAA has grounded the TransAir Hawaii 737-200F operations due to suspected shoddy aircraft maintenance. The 737-200Fs are operated by Rhoades Aviation, TransAir's sister company. The TransAir Shorts SD360s are still operating its cargo flights.

Transair Hawaii's N810TA Ditches Off ‘Ewa Beach

Transair Hawaii's N810TA (c/n 21116, l/n 427) ditched 1.86 miles (3 km) off-shore of ‘Ewa Beach at 0145HAST, after the pilots reported engine trouble. The pilots tried to return to HNL, but the second engine failed as well. Both pilots were rescued by the US Coast Guard, HNL ARFF, and Honolulu EMS. The flight, RDS810, was scheduled to fly to OGG. Reports say that the airframe broke apart upon landing.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Coverage from the AP Newswire and KITV Island News.

Radar playback with LiveATC audio from FlightRadar24.com.

04 July 2021 UPDATE

TransAir has grounded the four remaining 737-200Fs pending the investigation and inspections.

Transair Hawaii's 737-4Q8F Re-registered

SkyLiners reports that Transair Hawaii's 737-4Q8F, N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), will be re-registered as N388TM. The FAA website shows that the change reserve and authorization was made on 29 April 2021.

Transair Hawaii Orders A 737-400F

CH-Aviation.com reports that TransAir Hawaii has ordered a 737-400F, that will undergo freighter conversion at DHN in June. N251AU (c/n 25104, l/n 2476), a 737-4Q8, should join the Transair Hawaii sometime in September or October, after its conversion by AEI. The airliner is currently in storage at TPA. This 737-4Q8F will be their first CFM56-powered 737. 

25104's History:

May 1993: Delivered to Alaska Airlines as N771AS (f/n 771), under lease from ILFC.

Nov 1997: Sold to AWAS, and lease transferred.

Dec 2013: Withdrawn from service, returned to AWAS, and stored at GYR.

Apr 2014: Acquired by Jet Midwest.

Jan 2015: Leased to Flair Airlines as C-FLHJ (f/n 405).

Aug 2020: Returned to lessor, and stored at TPA, then sold to Automatic LLC.

N413JG Mainland Charters

TransAir's 737-2Q8/Adv, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), has ferried to ADM [Ardmore, OK], via SBD, for charter flight work around the mainland.

TransAir's N326TR

TransAir has acquired their fifth 737-200C, with N326TR (c/n 20917, l/n 344), a 737-210C/Adv, that was registered with the FAA this past May.

20917 was originally delivered to Wien Air Alaska [WC] in April 1974 as N4905W. It was leased to Saudi Aramco in February 1980 for six months. After it was returned to Wien Air Alaska, it flew with the airline until 1984 when the airline shut down, and the aircraft was acquired by CPC Leasing. In November that year, it was leased to TACA International [TA/TAI] (El Salvador) as N4905W. In August 2000, this 737 was acquired by Laserline Leasing, converted to a freighter, and leased to Estafeta Cargo Aerea [E7/ESF] (México) as XA-ABX, and flew with the airline until January 2005. In March 2006, it was acquired by Aloha Airlines [AQ/AAH] as N834AL, and flew for its cargo division until the airline closed in March 2008. It continued with the revamped Aloha Air Cargo, until early 2010, when it was flown to MZJ for storage. In May 2010, it was acquired by African Charter Airline as ZS-IAB, and leased to Bid Cargo in September 2015, until April 2017. It was ferried to somewhere in the Malaysia / Indonesia region.

TransAir Receives Charter Approval

The US Department of Transportation gave TransAir approval to begin domestic and international passenger and cargo charter flights. The airline purchased N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), a 737-2Q8/Adv in July 2015, and applied for charter approval a year ago. In the above photo taken today, this 737 is seen on the TransAir ramp, and not anther hangar. No word was given as to when charter flights will begin.

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

N413JG

N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), a 737-2Q8/Adv, is TransAir's newest acquisition. It arrived last night from MNL (via GUM and MAJ), and is at their hangar along with N810TA. This 737-2Q8 is currently in a passenger configuration, and would be the airline's first passenger version. Trans Air has two Shorts SD-360s in passenger configuration.

23148 was originally purchased by ILFC in October 1984, and leased to America West Airlines as N137AW. In July 1995, it was then leased to Ladeco [UC/LCO] (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to Westjet Airlines [WS/WJA](Canada) as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, 23148 was sold to Weststar Aviation (Malaysia) as N413JG. According to the FAA registry, Trans Air acquired N413JG this past February, and was ferried to MNL.

Another 737-200 For Trans Air?

According to the FAA website, Trans Air has another 737-200, N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059), is listed as its owner as of February 2015. The 737-2Q8 was last listed with Weststar Aviation (Malaysia), with the US N-number. It's current whereabouts are unknown, or whether it will undergo freighter conversion.

23148 was originally ordered by ILFC, and leased to America West Airlines in October 1984 as N137AW. In July 1995, it was leased to Ladeco Airlines [UC/LCO/ (Chile) as CC-CYV. In April 2000, it was leased to WestJet Airlines as C-FLWJ. In March 2006, Weststar Aviation acquired this 737-2Q8, and had the interior converted to a VIP layout, and registered as N413JG.

N587CA Sold And Ferried

TransAir has sold their CV640F, N587CA (msn 463) to Frontera Flight Holdings (Dover, DE). The transfer was effective on March 23rd, and the propliner was ferried to VGT [North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, NV] earlier today.


04.01.15 Update
Skyliner-Aviation.de reports that N587CA is bound for Aeronaves TSM [VTM] (México), it's Mexican registry is pending. It has not been stated whether this is a lease, or sale to Aeronaves TSM.

Trans Air's N810TA

Trans Air is taking delivery of their fourth 737-200F with N810TA (c/n 21116, l/n 427), this afternoon. The 737-275F is making its delivery flight from MNL to HNL (via GUM and MAJ).

21116 was originally delivered to Pacific Western Airlines [PW/PWA] (Canada) in October 1975 as C-GDPW (f/n 742) in the Combi configuration. It was transferred to Canadian Airlines International fleet in April 1987, when the two airlines merged. In November 1995, it was leased to Canair [CWW] (Canada), by POLA. In August 1997, POLA leased it to Royal Aviation Express [RXP] (Canada). In April 1999, it was converted to a full freighter, and acquired by Transmile Air Services [TH/TSE] (Malaysia) as 9M-PML. During its time with Transmile, it was also painted in the DHL logo jet livery, the Poslaju National Courier livery, and a basic livery. In July 2014, Trans Air took ownership of 21116, registered it as N810TA, but was placed in storage at MNL, until a few months ago

Trans Air's N809TA

Trans Air has taken delivery of their third 737-200F, with N809TA (c/n 23796, l/n 1420). The 737-209F/Adv, arrived from BKI [Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Malaysia], via GUM and MAJ.

23796 was originally delivered to China Airlines in July 1987 as B-182. In January 1997, it was sold to Transmile Air Services [TH/TSE] (Malaysia) as 9M-PMZ. During its time with TSE, it was leased to Mandala Airlines [RI/MDL] as PK-RIV in June 1997, for a year; then Bayu Indonesia [DD/BYU] in June 2001 for a year as PK-BYA; it then went to Kartika Airlines [KAE] as PK-KAR. In September 2010, it was converted to a freighter with TSE, still as PK-PMZ.

Hawai‘i Five-0 Cameos

In tonight's episode, "Ho‘i Hou",  a US Air Force C-17A, 09-9207 (c/n 50231 [F-230/P-207]) from the 436th AW and TransAir's N306AL (above) made cameo appearances after the first commercial break.   Only the interior of N306AL was used, to simulate the interior of the C-17A. H50 fan blogs noted that film crews were working around the 737-2T4C, parked on the South Ramp.

The "Kamekona Air Tours" AS350, from Makani Kai Helicopters, also appeared in the episode.

TransAir's N737CS

TransAir has taken delivery of N737CS (c/n 23272, l/n 1093), a 737-2T4C/Adv, and is their second 737-200C. It arrived last week Thursday from BKI [Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia] via GUM and MAJ.

23272 was originally delivered to the CAAC as B-2506 in March 1985. When Air China was formed out of the CAAC in 1988, it was transferred into its fleet. In April 1995, it went to Air Great Wall [CGW]. In October 2002, it went to China Eastern Airlines. In June 2004, it went to Blue Dart Aviation [BZ/BDA] (India) as VT-BDI, and was converted into a freighter. In May 2013, it was acquired by CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing. Trans Air acquired N737CS in October 2013.