Maui Air Releases Statement Days After Deadly Lānaʻi Crash

File images of company craft, courtesy Maui Air website; Lanai Map courtesy Google Earth; Lanai Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station file image.

By Wendy Osher

Maui Air and Volcano Air Tours released a statement today following the deadly plane crash on Lānaʻi on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, that claimed the life of a company pilot and two employees with the Maui Planning Department. Three others were hospitalized following the incident, two in critical, and one in serious condition.

The Maui Air flight was scheduled to leave at around 9:05 p.m. and crashed shortly after departure at around 9:23 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014.

Below is a statement issued by Sheila Magers on behalf of Maui Air:

“Aloha,

I would like to make a short statement. I know the public wants information and they deserve to know what happened. Maui Air is cooperating fully with the FAA and the NTSB to understand what took place.

First and foremost, my prayers go out to all the friends and family members of all the passengers on that flight.  

This is a very difficult time for all. We are all grieving. Families either lost their loved ones or they are in the hospital. I lost the man I loved and worked with for 27 years.  Our prayers are for them. Please join me in prayer for a speedy and complete recovery for the three men that got out of the plane and for the families of everyone involved.

Sorry I do not have anything more to say at this time.”

Media sources have reported the identity of the pilot as Richard “Dick” Rooney. Our earlier reports noted that the airline had a 20-year perfect safety record prior to the incident.

On Friday, the Maui Police Department confirmed that all victims of Wednesday’s plane crash on Lāna‘i had been recovered and were taken to the department’s forensic facility in Wailuku.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Peter Knudson said the on-scene investigation was expected to conclude yesterday, and that a preliminary report is due out within 10 business days of the incident.