- Hawaii Police Department - https://www.hawaiipolice.com -

Hilo Plane Fire 07/04/99

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
SOUTH HILO PATROL DIVISION
SERGEANT BURTON H. YAMAGUCHI
PHONE: 961-2311
JULY 4, 1999

MEDIA RELEASE

The pilot of a twin-engine private plane was killed Sunday (July 4, 1999) when the aircraft caught fire as it was taking off on a runway at Hilo International Airport.

Responding to a 9:54 a.m. call, police learned that the plane had stopped in Hilo for refueling on a flight from Honolulu to California.

The aircraft, a Beechcraft Baron, was taking off heading east on Runway 8 when it caught fire about 2,000 feet from the end of the runway.

Witnesses said the tail broke off and the rear of the aircraft disintegrated.

The name of the male pilot, the lone occupant of the plane, was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the accident and is continuing an investigation into the crash.

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