A tragic plane crash occurred near Honolulu Airport involving a Kamaka Air Cessna 208 aircraft during a training flight. The incident happened on Tuesday, December 18, 2024, around 3:15 p.m. local time.
Key Details
- Two pilots died: Preston Kaluhiwa and Hiram deFries (22-year-old trainee)
- Aircraft lost control and crashed into a vacant building in an industrial area
- The plane was on a training flight to Lanai Airport
- No other casualties reported
- Pilots reported being "out of control" during radio communication
- Aircraft veered sharply left and lost altitude
- Crashed near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
- Burst into flames upon impact
- Honolulu Fire Department and emergency services quickly arrived
- Fire contained to the exterior of the building
- FAA and National Transportation Safety Board launched investigations