HONOLULU (KHON) -Fire officials have confirmed that five adults have died in a plane crash that occurred just outside the fence line of Port Allen Airport, also known as Burns Field, in Hanapepe.
The FAA reports that the single-engine Cessna 182H crashed under unknown circumstances while taking off. The plane caught fire after crashing.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday during a skydiving tour. The pilot, two skydive instructors and two tandem jumpers were believed to be in the plane at the time of the crash.
Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene and one adult male was transported to Wilcox Hospital, where he was then pronounced dead.
The names of those involved in the crash have not yet been confirmed.
Cisco Campos, who witnessed the crash, said the plane was just a couple of minutes into its flight after taking off when “all of a sudden, the engine just knocked off. They were trying to turn back in, but the thing went straight down. When it was going straight down, the flames came out of the engine.”
Firefighters, police, and medics remain at the scene of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified of the incident and will work with officials to help determine the cause of the crash.
The public is advised to avoid the area.