No injuries to pilot, 57, after small plane lands in ocean off Maili Point
Jun. 25—Honolulu's first responders this morning assisted a 57-year-old man whose plane lost power and landed in the ocean roughly 120 yards off of Maili Point on Oahu.
The emergency call came in just after 9 :10 a.m. for the downed plane and pilot.
Honolulu Ocean Safety, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and the Honolulu Fire Department responded to the call. Although lifeguards paddled out and responded by personal watercraft, the man was able to swim to shore on his own.
The plane apparently lost power, according to officials, and glided into the water.
HFD said upon responding this morning that it found the small plane immersed in the water about 200 yards off of Maili Point.
The department said the pilot was a male resident, that he was uninjured, and swam about 50 yards from his plane to a reef, where he got out of the water, and then made his way to shore.
His plane initially floated, according to HFD, then sank in an area about 10 feet deep.
EMS evaluated the man on shore and found he had no injuries. He declined further medical treatment.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane involved is a single-engine Yakovlev Yak-52. The FAA is investigating the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard will be working with the pilot on salvaging the plane.
