A preliminary FAA report found that gusty wind conditions caused a training aircraft to crash into the water while approaching Kalaupapa Airport on Molokai Monday morning. Multiple sources confirmed that both occupants sustained only minor injuries and were able to reach shore safely.
- Single-engine Sling LSA aircraft crashed at approximately 11:40 a.m. Monday while approaching Kalaupapa Airport
- FAA preliminary report cites gusty wind conditions as cause of pilot losing control
- Aircraft registered to Pacific Flight Academy overturned in water with two people aboard
- Both occupants sustained minor injuries and swam approximately two miles to shore (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
- Survivors were extracted by Maui Fire Department helicopter and transported to Molokai General Hospital
- Another pilot in area described conditions as unusually gusty and called Kalaupapa one of Hawaii’s most challenging airports (Hawaii News Now)
- Pacific Flight Academy previously had emergency landing incident in February 2024 with no injuries (Hawaii News Now)
Sources
- Hawaii News Now: FAA report: Gusty winds to blame in small plane crash off Kalaupapa
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Wind gusts caused pilot to lose control, crash off Kalaupapa, FAA finds
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