Plane Made Several Ascending And Descending Turns Before Disappearing From Radar

The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident in Hawaii that resulted in the fatal injury of the four people on board a Beach BE-19A (Musketeer) July 28th.

The local flight departed Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, Hawaii, about 1837 HST. VFR conditions prevailed at the time of the flight, and no flight plan had been filed.

According to the report, the FAA issued an alert notice (ALNOT) at 1322 HST, July 29, when family members reported that the flight was overdue. The US Coast Guard located the wreckage later that day on steep, mountainous terrain at the last identified latitude and longitude.

A review of recorded air traffic control communications indicated that the airplane departed HNL runway 04R. Recorded radar data displayed the airplane's secondary beacon code as it departed and made a left turn to the northwest. After flying about 9 minutes along that course, the target made a left turn, and was at a mode C reported altitude of 1,800 feet mean sea level (msl). It made descending and climbing turns during the next 6 minutes. During the last minute, it climbed and was at a maximum mode C altitude of 2,000 feet when the target disappeared.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Preliminary Report