Boeing 737 cargo plane makes emergency landing in Pacific Ocean off Hawaii; 2 pilots rescued
A cargo plane made an emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii early Friday and both people on board have been rescued. The pilots of the Transair Flight 810 had reported engine trouble and were attempting to return to Honolulu when they were forced to land the Boeing 737 cargo aircraft in the water, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Commander Karin Evelyn said in an email that they received a report around 1:40 a.m. of a downed inter-island transport plane. About an hour later, rescuers in a Coast Guard helicopter spotted the debris field and two people in the water, Evelyn said.
On Friday, the Coast Guard released dramatic video, showing a helicopter and Honolulu Fire Department boat rescue the two pilots from the water in the dark of night.
One person was hoisted into the helicopter and taken to Queens Medical Center. Hospital officials said the 58-year-old was in the intensive care unit in critical condition, CBS affiliate KGMB-TV reported.
A rescue boat brought the other pilot to shore, where Emergency Medical Services treated and transported him to the hospital in serious condition with multiple lacerations, the station reported.
In Air Traffic Control audio posted by liveatc.net, the pilot can be heard telling the tower that they lost the number one engine and they were worried about losing the second because it was running hot. The pilot also asks the tower to alert the Coast Guard.
The plane debris remains, Evelyn said, and the Coast Guard will evaluate the pollution at first light.
According to the state Department of Transportation, the crash happened about 2-4 miles off Kalaeloa Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team of 10 to investigate the crash.
Transair CEO Teimour Riahi said the company is working with the Coast Guard, the FAA and the NTSB to investigate.
"Our most immediate concern is the care and recovery of our colleagues," he said.
In a statement, Boeing said: "We are aware of the reports out of Honolulu, Hawaii and are closely monitoring the situation. We are in contact with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and are working to gather more information."
No other information was immediately released.
