UPDATE: 2 Survivors Hoisted from Debris of Downed Aircraft Near Kona

UPDATE: 12:56 p.m. 7.15.16 (By Wendy Osher)

Two individuals aboard a small aircraft that went down in waters between Maui and Kona were found alive and were hoisted to safety this morning.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa McKenzie tells Maui Now that the Coast Guard is “delighted” that the two individuals were recovered.

Authorities say David McMahon and Sydnie Uemoto were found with only minor injuries and were taken in stable condition to EMS personnel at Kona International Airport where they were being treated.

Coast Guard officials tell Maui Now that a tour helicopter spotted a field of debris and radioed a Coast Guard helicopter crew within the area to respond.

When the survivors were hoisted to safety, they were six miles NE of Kona International Airport, and 1.5 miles offshore.  According to the Coast Guard, the survivors were wearing life jackets when they were spotted.

Update: (Information Courtesy: Coast Guard) 7.15.16

The search for a downed aircraft between Maui and Kona has been extended out to 45 miles offshore.

On Friday morning, July 15, the Coast Guard confirmed that debris was sighted at 8:19 a.m. about 52 miles northwest of Kona. The debris was spotted an Orion aircrew which is currently participating in RIMPAC activities.

The USCGC Galveston Island has been diverted to that location to investigate and determine if the debris located is from the missing plane. They are expected on scene at 10:30 a.m. and will attempt to relocate the debris reported earlier this morning.

A Navy P3 Orion airplane was on approach to Kona and overheard the pilot’s call to the tower on Thursday afternoon. The Orion crew initially diverted to investigate the report, but was not involved in the search.

Today, the search includes a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, the crew of the USCGC Galveston Island, a Navy MH-60R helicopter off the USS Chung Hoon and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3K2 Orion airplane.

Original Post: (Information Courtesy: Coast Guard)

Coast Guard crews are searching for a downed aircraft that dropped from radar on Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2016, while en route from Maui to Kona.

The dual engine aircraft with two people aboard radioed for help at 3:15 p.m., indicating that there was an air emergency, according to Coast Guard officials.

The plane’s last known position was approximately 25 miles northwest of Kona.

News sources report that 26-year-old David McMahon, of Kailua was one of the two individuals on board.  A second person was also identified in a report filed by Hawaii News Now.

Search crews reported limited visibility with haze, isolated showers and darkness during Thursday’s search.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer involved in the rescue stands with the mother of Sidney Uemoto following her daughter’s rescue nine miles off Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016. Uemoto and David McMahon were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Cooper/Released)

The mother of Sidney Uemoto hugs Coast Guard crews following her daughter’s rescue nine miles off Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016. Uemoto and David McMahon were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Cooper/Released)

The mother of Sidney Uemoto checks on her daughter following her daughter’s rescue nine miles off Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016. Uemoto and David McMahon were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Cooper/Released)

Coast Guard and Hawaii Fire Department personnel stand with the mother of Sidney Uemoto following her daughter’s rescue nine miles off Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016. Uemoto and David McMahon were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Released)

Coast Guard crews safely deliver David McMahon and Sidney Uemoto to emergency medical personnel in Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016, following their rescue nine miles off Kona. They were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. They reportedly sustained only minor injures in the crash. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Cooper/Released)

Coast Guard crews safely deliver David McMahon and Sidney Uemoto to emergency medical personnel in Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016, following their rescue nine miles off Kona. They were both rescued by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew following an expansive joint search by Navy, Royal New Zealand air force, U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard crews. They reportedly sustained only minor injures in the crash. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Cooper/Released)

Maui water, background photo by Wendy Osher; Coast Guard logo overlay.