Five On Board Fatally Injured When Cessna 182H Caught Fire Shortly After Takeoff

A Cessna 182H with five people on board reportedly caught fire and went down shortly after takeoff from Port Allen Airport on the island of Kauai in Hawaii Monday, resulting in the fatal injury of all five people.

Hawaii News Now reports that the accident occurred at about 0930 local time. The plane was carrying two skydiving instructors and two tandem jumpers as well as the pilot. The plane appeared to have engine trouble and caught fire as it was clearing the airport fence at a low altitude. Witnesses said that it appeared the pilot was attempting to return to the airport when it "just fell out of the sky" and exploded on impact, according to witness Cisco Campos who was fishing on Monday near the airport.

The plane was operated by Skydive Kauai. Campos said he saw the plane take off and that the engine "sounded strange." He said it "sputtered", then failed and caught fire before hitting the ground.

Four of those on board were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fifth was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov