GhLinks Media
The family of the pilots involved in the fatal Kamaka Air crash near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport have identified them.
One of the pilots was identified as 22-year-old Hiram deFries by his family.
Hiram deFries was from the Hawaiian homestead in Papakolea. He was a 2020 Punahou graduate training to get his pilot’s license.
The family of the other pilot identified him as Preston Kaluhiwa, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.
Outside the door of Kamaka Air, the sound of wailing coming from the offices could be heard. Many family and friends were coming in and out of these offices that are now closed.
The crash occurred on Tuesday, December 17, at around 3:15 p.m., shortly after the small cargo plane took off from Honolulu’s airport.
The plane was on a training flight when it crashed into a vacant building, bursting into flames.
Authorities confirmed that both pilots, who were the only people on board, died in the crash.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane’s final moments were captured on video.
The footage shows the aircraft veering sideways at low altitude before it crashed into the building, sending up a thick black plume of smoke.
Prior to the crash, communications between the pilot and air traffic control were recorded.
The control tower asked the pilot if they were turning right, to which the pilot replied that they were out of control.
The air traffic controller instructed the pilot to level the plane and attempt to land. Moments later, the plane crashed into the building.
Kamaka Air CEO David Hinderland confirmed the deaths of both pilots. In a statement to reporters, he expressed his sorrow, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that Kamaka Air confirms the loss of two members of the Kamaka Air family in an accident.”
