Two people rescued from downed cargo aircraft off Oahu

The US Coast Guard and the Honolulu Fire Department rescued two people from a downed Boeing 737 inter-island transport plane two miles (3.2 kilometres) south of Kalaeloa, Hawaii, on Friday, July 2.

Both people aboard were rescued by an Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat and brought to The Queen’s Medical Center. They are reported to be in stable condition at this time.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

At 01:40 local time on Friday, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu watchstanders received a report from Honolulu Air Traffic Control stating that the aircraft had ended up in the waters off Kalaeloa.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners, deployed the Air Station Barbers Point Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules maritime patrol aircraft, launched a Station Honolulu Response Boat-Medium crew, and diverted the fast response cutter Joseph Gerczak (pictured) in response.

Once on scene the Dolphin aircrew was able to rescue one of the people on board while the Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat recovered the other. Both people were then brought to awaiting medical services on Oahu.

The weather on scene at the time of the rescue was winds of 14 knots and seas up to five feet (1.5 metres).