The crew of a 46-year-old Boeing 737-200 cargo aircraft were forced to make a controlled crash landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday following reported engine malfunctions.
According to initial reports, the two pilots onboard the aircraft, belonging to Hawaiian cargo airline Transair, operating flight number 810, informed air traffic control they had an engine malfunction and needed assistance just moments before impacting with the water.
The two pilots were the only people on the jet and both have been found, according to coast guard Lt. Commander Karin Evelyn "One was on the tail and the other clinging to packages," who then advised that as the agency helicopter got close, "the aeroplane began to sink putting the individual on the tail in the water. The crews hoisted them safely on the aircraft. The rescue swimmer then assisted the other individual." The crew have been taken to hospital with reported serious injuries, local media have stated the 58-year-old captain was considered to be in a critical condition, while a 50-year-old pilot was in serious condition suffering multiple lacerations and a head injury.
According to local media reports, one of the pilots told a controller "We've lost No. 1 engine, and we're coming straight to the airport, - We're going to need the fire department. There's a chance we're going to lose the other engine too, it's running very hot. We're very low on speed. It doesn't look good out here."
The crew then reported they had around two hours worth of fuel left but asked if there was a closer airport than Honolulu. They also asked the controller to report their position to the coast guard, which appears to be their last communication with the controller.
The U.S. FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have confirmed that an investigation has been started into the events on Friday morning with a 10 person team sent to Hawaii.
Transair is a mainly cargo airline that was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration Certificated Air Carriers providing air cargo services throughout the State of Hawaii. It is one of the longest-running transportation companies in Hawaii, operating since its 1982 start.
Transair and Transair Express all-cargo fleet of five Boeing 737 and five Short 360-300 aircraft, the all-cargo B-737 aircraft are operated by Rhoades Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Transair and the all-cargo S360-300 are operated by Trans Executive Airlines of Hawaii, Inc. d/b/a Transair Express.
There are relatively few 737-200's of this vintage flying today, perhaps no more than 65 - 70, with the vast majority being used as freighters and whilst the aircraft's age has not yet been identified as a factor in this crash, it obviously can't be ruled out.
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