Two Fatally Injured In Dillingham Airfield Accident

A glider tow plane went down Saturday after taking off from Dillingham Airfield on the north shore of Oahu, HI resulting in the fatal injury of the two people on board the aircraft.

The aircraft was owned by Honolulu Soaring, according to Hawaii News Now. FAA records indicate that the aircraft was a Cessna Ector ... also known as an O-1 Bird Dog ... manufactured in 1979.

The airplane did not have a glider in tow at the time of the accident. Scott Blackley, the owner and manager of North Shore Aviation Services, said that the aircraft was engaged in a training flight. Blackley said that the pilot doing the checkout was "highly experienced in that type of aircraft."

The names of the persons on board have not been released, though one was described as a man in his 60s, and the other was a man, 78.

A witness to the accident said he heard the engine "sputter" before it went down. The witness, who was not identified, adi the plane "just took a dive. No smoke or anything like that."

The State Department of Transportation closed the airport indefinitely. Some, including U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) have called for longer or permanent closure of the airport. The state recently announced that it would be ending its lease for the airfield later this year, returning the property to the U.S. Army.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Source report