Pilot is safe after ditching 253 miles from Maui

HONOLULU—The pilot of a single engine Cirrus SR-22 aircraft that ran out of fuel is safe after ditching his aircraft 253 miles northeast of Maui, Hawaii Sunday.

At approximately 4:44pm the pilot was able to deploy the aircraft’s airframe parachute system and safely exit the aircraft into a life raft.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu identified the cruise ship Veendam, en route to Lahaina, Maui, and coordinated the pilot’s ditch near their location.

At 5:21pm the crew of the Veendam rescued the pilot. The pilot was reported to be in good condition. The plane was last observed partially submerged.

Weather conditions at the time of the rescue were seas of 9 to 12 feet and winds of 25 to 28 mph.

The Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point assisted the pilot during the process of ditching his aircraft and maintained communications throughout the ditching process. The Hercules crew remained on scene until the pilot was safely aboard the Veendam.

The flight originated in Tracy, California, and was destined for Kahului Maui.

At 12:30pm the pilot contacted the Hawaii National Guard and reported his aircraft had approximately three hours of fuel remaining and he would be ditching 230 miles north east of Maui.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued all four passengers aboard a second single engine aircraft that ran out of fuel and ditched approximately 11 miles west of Oahu, Sunday.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located and hoisted all four passengers. They were flown to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers point where they were transferred to emergency medical services. The condition of the passengers is not known.

At 6:18pm, the pilot contacted the Hawaii Control Facility at Honolulu International Airport and declared and in flight emergency 30 miles west of Oahu. The pilot reported the aircraft was running out of fuel and that the aircraft may have to ditch.

At 6:27pm, the aircraft disappeared from radar and lost communications.

The Coast Guard diverted a crew aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew previously involved in Sunday’s ditching of a single-engine Cirrus SR-22. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew was launched from Coast Guard Station Honolulu and the 87-foot Coast Guard cutter Kittiwake also launched.

The single engine Cessna was flying from Hanapepe, Kauai to Kalaeloa, Oahu.

Three adults and one child were aboard the aircraft. (USCG)