Search called off for missing plane
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Coast Guard and Maui Fire Department yesterday suspended the search for a missing plane off the coast of Moloka'i, officials said.
The Coast Guard made the decision to call off the search pending further developments at about 1:30 p.m., said Petty Officer Michael De Nyse.
A Coast Guard C-130 plane, HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the cutter Ahi and a 47-foot boat from Maui searched for more than 32 hours in the area where the Cessna 177B reportedly plunged into the ocean off Moloka'i on Thursday night. The search covered about 280 nautical miles in an area near Kalaupapa peninsula.
The plane left Honolulu Airport Thursday night with two people aboard and disappeared about an hour later.
The plane was apparently between a mile and a half-mile from the island, when it suddenly turned toward the mountain, then plunged more than 5,000 feet in less than a minute.
The instructor and student pilot of the single-engine plane, owned by Anderson Aviation, have not been identified.
Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
