Three missing as plane crashes on Big Island

Associated Press

KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — Rainy weather on the Big Island hampered efforts to find at least three people aboard a plane that crashed today in South Kona, about 40 miles south of here.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities, authorities said.

The three were using a cellular phone to keep in contact with searchers aboard two fire department helicopters, Hawai'i County fire rescue officials said.

Because of the poor weather, the helicopters were having difficulty finding the crash site, believed to be to the east of Miloli'i at an altitude of about 4,500 feet, the officials said.

The three told authorities they could hear the helicopters flying overhead several times. The helicopters broke the search to refuel, while the Coast Guard sent a search plane equipped with thermal imaging equipment from O'ahu, they said.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman was not available for comment.