Was Company Operating Illegal Air Taxi Operation?

A Hawaiian company that lost a plane on the island of Molokai Sunday may have been illegally operating the Partenavia P68 Observer as an air taxi, according to the FAA.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that the twin-engine aircraft (file photo of type, right), owned by the Tora Flight Adventure Club, wasn't certified for Part 135 flight when it took off from a private strip in West Molokai -- banked sharply to the right -- and went down.

The pilot and four Japanese tourists onboard were all were injured, with one of the passengers still listed as critical and another in serious condition.

"Just by looking at the plane, it was hard to believe the people survived," fire Capt. Travis Tancayo told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Crews who responded to the scene report the fuselage was almost completely crushed by the impact.

Residents in the area told investigators they've seen the plane bringing in tourist groups daily -- and some of them have expressed worries in the past.

The NTSB is investigating Sunday's mishap -- while the FAA conducts a separate investigation into the Part 135 issue.

"The overall crash, as well as this particular [air taxi] issue, is being investigated," Fergus said.

Tora Flight Adventures declined comment to the Star-Bulletin.

FMI: www.faa.gov