Report of Possible Aircraft Wreckage in Kaupō Dismissed as Roofing Material

Kaupō, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Fire officials called off the search for suspected aircraft wreckage in Kaupō on Friday after a helicopter search of the area uncovered only signs of metal roofing material in the area.

Crews responded after a caller reported seeing what looked like plane debris on the south side of the Kaupō Gap at around 12:05 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 1014, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

A search, which utilized the department’s Air-1 helicopter, found a section of metal roofing material, possibly a part of a structure, at the 2,500-foot elevation near Mile 33 of the highway, Mainaga said.

Crews were unable to locate anything other than the roofing material, and confirmed that there were no missing aircraft reported.

Other units responding to the area included Engine-13 from Kula, and Rescue-10 from Kahului.