Feds initiate probe
into Big Isle air crashInvestigators will talk to
the tour company's officials
today about the Sunday accident
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to talk with a Big Island tour company's officials today about the crash of its single-engine Piper Warrior tour plane near Milolii Sunday.
"We plan to meet with Island Hoppers to get an idea of the pilot's history and pilot's records. That's all part of the investigation," said NTSB investigator Clint Johnson.
According to a statement released by Phil Auldridge, president of Island Hoppers, the fire that injured the pilot and two passengers apparently occurred after the plane was brought down by an "extreme downdraft," called a microburst, similar to a localized cyclone, at the 4,500-foot level of Mauna Loa.
The plane landed on a 1926 lava flow about 4:46 p.m.
Investigators arrived at the crash site yesterday and have yet to confirm whether the plane crashed due to a downdraft.
Seventy-five percent of the tour plane was destroyed by the fire, said Johnson.
The plane's nose, wing tips and tail were spared.
"The cabin area has been completely consumed by the fire," said Johnson.
Investigators also plan to talk to the pilot, Jelica Matic, who remains in serious condition at the Queen's Medical Center, said Johnson.
The two passengers, Dallas and Catherine Ratcliff, of West Portsmouth, Ohio, are in critical condition at Straub Clinic & Hospital, said spokeswoman Claire Tong.
Investigators suspect the plane caught fire after the crash.
"We don't suspect that there was a pre-impact fire," said Johnson.
Auldridge said the passengers became very cold due to the rain once they were out of the aircraft. Matic "fashioned a shelter for them yesterday in the tail section of the aircraft and, in spite of her significant injuries, remained outside to be alert for rescue aircraft."
Johnson said the remaining tail section is about 8 to 10 feet long.
"Theoretically, this could've been used for a makeshift shelter," he said.
Life vests and some clothing were found in the tail section.
Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, the tour plane's manufacturer, Piper, and the engine's manufacturer, Lycoming, are also assisting in the investigation.
The wreckage 4 1/2 miles mauka of Highway 11 above Milolii is expected to be removed by a helicopter by the end of the week, weather permitting, said Johnson.
The plane will be pieced back together to help officials in their investigation.