‘Aiea resident and Hawaiian Airlines pilot Bob Justman, who found himself seconds from a deep-water grave Sunday morning, was released from Wilcox Memorial Hospital yesterday morning. He was able to open the plane’s canopy and get himself out of the
‘Aiea resident and Hawaiian Airlines pilot Bob Justman, who found himself seconds from a deep-water grave Sunday morning, was released from Wilcox Memorial Hospital yesterday morning.
He was able to open the plane’s canopy and get himself out of the submerged cockpit of the experimental, single-engine plane just before it sank into the depths of the Kaua’i Channel between Kaua’i and O’ahu, he said.
The plane went down just before 9 a.m. Sunday about 25 miles southeast of Kaua’i.
Justman was treated for minor injuries in the Wilcox Hospital emergency room, and kept overnight for observation in stable condition.
Though his family requested “no direct media contact” through hospital spokeswoman Lani Yukimura, Justman, the lone person on board, did release a statement about his ordeal.
“After impact, the canopy closed and the aircraft inverted under water, trapping me in the cockpit. I released my shoulder harnesses and seat belt and worked at opening the canopy while under water for over a minute,” he recalled.
“Miraculously, the canopy partially opened after I continued working with it, and I was able to eject myself just before the aircraft sank,” Justman said.
“I swam around collecting wreckage in order to make myself more visible. The Coast Guard made an initial run, and when I started splashing they noticed me immediately and were able to pick me up on the second run,” he said.
The crew of the Coast Guard rescue helicopter brought him to Lihu’e Airport, where an American Medical Response ambulance crew took him to Wilcox Hospital.
“I was flying my private airplane today from Honolulu to Lihu’e to visit a critically ill relative.
“The engine lost power and I was forced to make an emergency landing in the ocean 60 miles off of O’ahu,” he said.
“I was in contact with the Honolulu Center, and told them that I had an emergency. My last call was at 200 feet.
“The center had me on radar and immediately contacted the Coast Guard from Barbers Point. I was picked up within 40 minutes of hitting the water,” said a grateful Justman, who has taught classes on aviation safety that include tips on preparing for over-water flights.
Justman wanted to send his “sincerest thanks to the personnel at Honolulu Center for their quick response, and especially to the Coast Guard for their rescue team,” including Lt. Kevin Quillian, pilot; Lt. Harry Greene, co-pilot; petty officer Ronny German, rescue swimmer; and petty officer Mike Harrell, flight mechanic, “who is responsible for hoisting and safely securing me.
“Many thanks also to the EMS, American Medical Response, Lihu’e crash fire, police officers and the emergency medical staff at Wilcox Memorial Hospital for their professionalism,” Justman said.
He flew home to Honolulu yesterday aboard a commercial jet.
