Transair, Flight 810, A Boeing 737-200, Ditched In The Waters Of Mamala Bay Near Honolulu

The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation of Friday's crash of Transair flight 810 continues as investigators continue to gather information and evidence.

Rhoades Aviation Inc., dba Transair, flight 810, a Boeing 737-200, ditched in the waters of Mamala Bay near Honolulu, shortly after takeoff from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Hawaii. Flight 810 was operating under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 121, as a cargo flight bound for Kahului International Airport, Kahului, Hawaii. Both members of the two-person flight crew were injured and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and Honolulu Fire Department. The airplane was substantially damaged and sank.

The NTSB's investigation began Friday with the arrival in Hawaii of several investigators. The remainder of the NTSB's Go Team arrived late afternoon Saturday.

The NTSB conducted an organizational meeting Saturday evening with the parties to the investigation which include:

• The Federal Aviation Administration
• The Boeing Company
• Pratt and Whitney
• The National Air Traffic Controllers Association
• Rhoades Aviation

The Investigator-in-Charge formed the following investigative groups:

• Powerplants
• Airplane Systems
• Structures
• Operations
• Human Performance
• Air Traffic Control
• Maintenance Records
• Cockpit Voice Recorder
• Flight Data Recorder

The team is also supported by NTSB specialists in Meteorology and Airports who are working from the NTSB's headquarters.

A small amount of floating debris was recovered and taken to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, where it was examined by NTSB investigators.

Before the cockpit voice and flight data recorders can be recovered, the exact location of the plane on the ocean floor must be determined. Investigators plan to use side scan sonar Monday to survey the debris field, the condition of the airplane and its location, including how far beneath the surface the plane sank. That information will be used to determine how and when the recorders could be recovered and then how and if the airplane will be salvaged.

Meanwhile investigators are scheduling interviews with flight 810's two pilots, air traffic controllers, and Transair maintenance employees.

In general terms, NTSB investigators develop factual information in three areas: the people involved in an accident, the equipment involved in the accident and the environment in which the accident occurred.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov