Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Crash Near Honolulu Airport

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Tragedy Strikes Training Flight Near HNL

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, a Kamaka Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (N689KA) tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 4L at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Hawaii. The accident claimed the lives of both pilots onboard and destroyed the aircraft. The flight, operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, was a training session, with one pilot serving as an instructor and the other as a student.

Timeline of Events

  1. 15:14:30 LT: The aircraft began its takeoff roll from runway 4L.
  2. 15:14:57 LT: The airplane lifted off at 91 knots groundspeed.
  3. 15:15:07 LT: A left bank was observed, deviating from the expected right-hand turn.
  4. 15:15:22 LT: The left bank worsened until the airplane collided with a vacant building in a near-vertical attitude.

Air traffic control communications revealed the crew's distress:

  • Tower: "Kamaka Flight 689, you’re turning right, correct?"
  • Crew: "Kamaka 689, we are, we have, uh, we’re out of control here."

Ground observers and ADS-B data corroborated the sequence, showing an uncontrolled left bank and eventual impact.

Weather and Environmental Conditions

Weather conditions near the airport were calm, with light winds (200° at 5 knots) and good visibility (10SM). METAR reports indicated no significant weather factors that would contribute to the crash.

Aircraft and Crew

The Cessna 208B, manufactured in 2011, was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A engine. The pilot-in-command held a commercial and instructor certificate with a valid first-class medical. The student pilot, working toward his license.

Preliminary Analysis: Why the Airplane Turned Left Instead of Right

Several factors might explain the deviation and loss of control:

  1. Mechanical Failure: A potential failure in the control system or engine, such as asymmetrical thrust or flight control issues, could have led to an uncontrollable left bank.
  2. Pilot Input or Error: If the student inadvertently applied excessive control input or failed to counteract forces like torque or adverse yaw, the left bank could have escalated.
  3. Aerodynamic Factors: Torque from the PT6A engine or insufficient speed during climb could amplify a left-turning tendency.
  4. Flight Training Dynamics: The instructional nature of the flight may have contributed, with the crew managing unexpected challenges in a high-stress moment.

Impact and Aftermath

The aircraft impacted a vacant building, igniting a post-crash fire. Videos from ground observers confirmed the aggressive bank angle and rapid descent. The NTSB is investigating the crash, and further insights will be provided after a detailed analysis of the wreckage, flight data, and ATC communications (Min 37).

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Confidence Rating

The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources, which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further investigation.

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Location: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), 300 Rodgers Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA

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