U.S. Navy and Coast Guard assets are searching for a plane that went missing off Kona, Hawaii, on Thursday, July 14.
The Coast Guard said a Navy MH-60R helicopter crew from the USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93) along with HC-130 Hercules airplane crews and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews from Air Station Barbers Point were searching for the plane. The USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349) was also sent to the location.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordonation Center in Honolulu received notification from Honolulu control facility personnel that the pilot of a dual engine aircraft with two people aboard radioed them reporting an in air emergency. The tower confirmed they then lost contact with the pilot in the plane no longer appeared on radar.
The plane was reportedly traveling to Kona from Maui, with the last known position approximately 25 miles northwest of Kona. A Navy P3 Orion airplane was on approach to Kona and overheard the pilot’s call to the tower. The Orion crew initially diverted to investigate the report, but is not involved in the search.
Watchstanders immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast advising mariners in the area to keep a sharp lookout and report any sightings to JRCC. They also directed the launch of assets to respond.