China Southern's B-7972

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their first 737-81B of 2016. B-7972 (c/n 44388, l/n 5938) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN972, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian's N360HA "Tutukamolehonua"

Hawaiian Airlines' 23rd A330-243 touched down in Hawai‘i for the first time today as HA8001 from Seattle. N360HA (c/n 1732) is given the Hawaiian name of the constellation Alpha Crucis, "Tutukamolehonua".

N198CR

N198CR (c/n 28154, l/n 623), a 767-338ER for SF Airlines, is making a ferry flight from VCV to QPG (via HNL and GUM). It will make its HNL stop this evening.

28154 was originally delivered to Qantas Airways in August 1996 as VH-OGQ, and remained with the airline until February 2014, when it was retired to VCV. In September 2015, WFBN purchased the 767-338ER.

Big Island Air's N2150

Big Island Air's C208B Grand Caravan, N2150 (msn 208B5054), has made a stop at HNL. It's not often that Big Island Air Grand Caravans make it up north to O‘ahu, and was probably here on a charter flight.

C-GALU

C-GALU (msn 726), a DHC-6-300 Twin Otter is ferrying though HNL on its way back to Canada, from Papua New Guinea. The flight began from AYTK [Tokua Airport, Rabaul, PNG], and has made stops at MAJ and HNL, and will depart for LMT [Crater Lake-Klamath Falls, Oregon] tomorrow, then onto YYC, where the owner is identified as Gravitas Aviation Ltd.

726 was originally delivered to Austin Airways [Canada] in November 1980 as  C-GCVZ, and was leased to Air Creebec from June 1982 to February 1985. It was sold to Pakistan International Airlines in the same month as AP-BCG "Mangla Dam", and served until September 2006. Emerald Aviation [New Guinea] acquired this Twin Otter in March 2007 as N726JM, then as P2-EMO. Airlines PNG took ownership of P2-EMO in April 2008.

Fuzhou's B-7395

Fuzhou Airlines is taking delivery of B-7395 (c/n 43663, l/n 5809) today. The 737-84P, built in February, is making its delivery flight from BFI as FZA7395, and will overnight at HNL.

Antonov's UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 (msn 13590502630) arrived from ONT this morning. The flight, ADB2122, originated from PSM [Portsmouth International at Pease Airport, New Hampshire]. The Antonov parked on Taxiway RA (above photo), east of ARFF Station 2, to off-load its cargo, then was towed to the UPS ramp until this evening's departure to DEN as ADB248F.

Deer Jet's B-5266

Deer Jet's 737-7AK BBJ, B-5266 (c/n 29866, l/n 408), has made an overnight stop at HNL from LAX. FlightRadar24.com has its recent flights leading up to the HNL stop. Deer Jet [DF/BDJ] (China) is the private charter arm of the Hainan Air Group (HNA).

This BBJ was delivered to Privatair in November 1999 as HB-IIP, with 16 first-class seats. In May 2005 it was sold to N720CH, Inc as N720CH, and fitted with a VIP interior. Deer Jet acquired it in March 2010.

Freedom Air's ZK-OJK

This month's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to June 2005, with this Freedom Air International [SJ/FOM] (New Zealand) A320-232, ZK-OJK (msn 2445). It was making a stopover at HNL while making its delivery flight from TLS to AKL.

A year after delivery, it was sold to BBAM, then leased to TAM Linhas Aéreas [JJ/TAM](Brazil) as PR-MBJ. In May 2012, it made its way back to New Zealand, as it was leased to Air New Zealand, and retained its ZK-OJK tail number. It continues to fly with Air New Zealand, and was painted in the current black and white livery.

Memorial Day

The HNL RareBirds team expresses a big mahalo to all of the American Armed Forces aviators (and all other troops) who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and protecting our freedoms.

China United's B-7563

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-7563 (c/n 61683, l/n 5928) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CUA7563, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai's B-7863

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-7863 (c/n 44389, l/n 5923) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

SlikAir's 9V-MGP

SilkAir is taking delivery of 9V-MGP (c/n 44232, l/n 5924) today. The 737-8SA is making its delivery flight from RNT as SLK8880, and will overnight at KOA.

Air China's B-7598

Air China is taking delivery of B-7598 (c/n 60850, l/n 5920) today. The 737-89L, their second delivery in three days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA79, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-7560

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-7560 (c/n 43887, l/n 5875) today. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA7560, and will overnight at HNL.

Kamaka's N8CA

Kamaka Air has taken delivery of their third Cessna C208BF Caravan. N8CA (msn 208B2329) arrived on the 19th from SMX, after undergoing freighter conversion. Although freighter flooring was installed, there still are the anchor points for seats. The airline plans to keep the current livery, and add Kamaka Air titles.

Air China's B-7596

Air China is taking delivery of B-7596 (c/n 44913, l/n 5917) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong's B-7568

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7568 (c/n 61316, l/n 5919) today. The 737-85N is makings delivery flight from BFI as CDG7568, and will overnight at HNL.

Beech 23 Ditches Off Mākaha

A Beech 23, N6697Y (msn M-2224), with two aboard, ditched about 30 yards from the shore of Mākaha Beach, about 11:30HST. Thankfully, there were no severe injuries were reported, though both were taken to a nearby medical center.

The above photo of N6697Y was taken in the late 1980s, from aviation.hawaii.gov.

Coverage by KHON 2 News.

Skydiving Plane Crashes At PAK, 5 Killed

N2007X (msn 18256107), a Cessna 182H, owned by D&J Air Adventures [Koloa, Kaua‘i], with five aboard crashed at PAK [Burns Field / Port Allen Airport, Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i] around 09:30HST. All five aboard perished. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kauai, experienced engine trouble and a fire, and tried to return to PAK, but crashed short of the airport.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those lost in this accident.

Coverage by Hawaii News Now.