Port Allen plane crash claims lives of five people Monday

HANAPEPE – Officials are now investigating the cause of a plane crash that resulted in five fatalities in Hanapepe on Monday morning.

According to a preliminary investigation, a single engine Cessna plane crashed and burned at approximately 9:30 a.m. just outside of Port Allen Airport.

The plane was owned by Skydive Kaua‘i, which operates out of Port Allen Airport. It is believed that the company was conducting a skydive tour at the time of the crash and had a pilot, two skydive instructors and two tandem jumpers on board.

All five individuals in the plane died as a result of the crash. Their identities have not yet been released.

Autopsies of the victims will be conducted this week.

Engine 5 out of Kalaheo fire station was first on scene and was soon joined by Truck 5, Engine 6, Truck 6, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, the on-duty battalion chief, and medics.

Kauai police officers and detectives also responded to the incident and continue to investigate the cause of the crash with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The crash resulted in a small brush fire in the surrounding area, which firefighters had extinguished by approximately 10:30 a.m. with the help of Air 1 and two water tenders provided by the Department of Public Works.

Representatives from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Airports Division was also on scene and the Kauai Civil Defense Agency assisted with the coordination of emergency response.

Volunteers from Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, is assisting the families of the victims

The names of those involved in the crash have not yet been confirmed.