There were no injuries reported when a P-8 Poseidon overran the runway at Marine Corps Hawaii’s base on Monday and ended up in Kaneohe just north of Honolulu. Wind was reported gusting to 21 knots in mist when the plane went into the drink. There were nine people on board. The Coast Guard initially responded but called it off when it was clear the occupants were safe. The airframe is likely a write-off.
The base runway is 7,800 feet but there have been reports the plane landed long. The aircraft belongs to the Skinny Dragons of Patrol Squadron 4 stationed at Whidbey Island in Washington State and was there on a regular rotation to patrol the region. The accident will be investigated by the Navy.
Pilot error, I call it. Engines fail to respond Pilot Error, Brakes fail Pilot Error. I’m from the NTSB and I’m here to help.
Your jumping the gun comment before details are publicly known and before investigators have weighed in is a reflection on you, not on the NTSB. This constant dissing of the NTSB by AvWeb commenters is a reflection on you, not on the NTSB.
Nah, the NTSB has done plenty to prove they’re not worthy of taxpayer funds. We don’t need to wait for even more proof. “Not The Smartest Bunch”
Not to mention that this was a military aircraft accident, and the NTSB won’t be in charge of the investigation…..
Yep. Almost none of the knee jerk stuff can survive actually seeing what is being done. The NTSB is a big part of the reason airline transport has become so much safer. Getting to the real causes instead of the tired old us-and-them nonsense.
Agreed. We will never know how many lives have been saved by the work of the NTSB, and its counterparts in other countries, but there is no doubting that many, many have been saved.
I was being “tongue in cheek”.
Poseidon was the god of the sea. The plane is in the sea. No further questions your Honor.
In order to hunt the submarine, first you must become the submarine.
Good one! 🙂
Read this news on another non-aviation related news site. That article mentioned the poor weather conditions but also stated that the pilot landed long. It went on to say the runway at that base is short but didn’t mention the exact length. The article also stated that all of the 9 crew members were rescued and that none suffered injuries.
The article also states that the Coast Guard called off its efforts very quickly as all crew had already been rescued. Possibly, and somewhat ambiguously, eluding to the crew being rescued by responding civilian boats in the area.
Some of the first images came from a mom on vacation with her family. They had just docked their rented pontoon boat due to the conditions. So, if a pontoon boat made it home safely, even the smallest v-hulled fishing boats could’ve easily handled the weather long enough to get the crew off the plane. While this last paragraph is speculative, I own a 22 foot Bulls Bay, and I’ve been in some serious weather with it. Never had a problem other than getting really wet.
According to the interweb:
‘Marine Corps Base Hawaii is home to Marines, Sailors, their family members, and civilian employees. The United States Marine Corps operates a 7,800-foot (2,400 m) runway at the base.’
I’d not consider that short but I don’t know the landing requirements of the plane.
NAS JAX is about 7900 feet long it is the SE Base for P-8’s
Add this accident to the growing list of 737-800,900 series of planes going off the runway after landing on short runways in wet weather.
A 7,800 foot runway for a B-737, regardless of model, is NOT a short runway.
Correct. Avelo operates 737’s out of New Haven, Ct – 5600ft runway.
A dry runway, probably not. You (and a lot of other jet pilots) would be amazed how much the landing performance numbers increase for a jet landing on a wet (or otherwise contaminated) runway. The FAA has already published several SAFO’s on this subject.
Very true. However, in this case overflying some unknown fraction of the available runway before touchdown is likely considerably more significant than the overall length or runway condition.
Since this aircraft is a modified version of the 737’s, I’m waiting to see someone say it’s somehow boeings fault.
Speculative theories at this juncture are just that — all speculation guesses without facts.
The USN will investigate this mishap and that will be that.
We might have certain, reported Wx info for the field at the time of the over run but no one knows outside of the investigators right now, the factual and exact RWY surface conditions or the aircraft’s equipment operation and status.
7800 feet isn’t short, but it isn’t long either. Not in a 737. I avoided flying those, but sitting in the jumpseat I was appalled that the approach speed was 20 knots faster than I’d have used in a 757. Then they have to stop using half the number of tires and brakes. If these guys landed long, on a wet runway, it won’t be a long investigation.
Does the military version have thrust reversers? If not, there’s another log on the fire.
FYI, landing distance calculations in many cases are purposely not calculated with consideration of using thrust reversers, however there may be penalties for inoperative thrust reversers, depending on runway condition.
I don’t know anything I’m just glad everyone is ok.
No one else here knows anything either but it’s not stopping them.
KMDW pilots could probably weigh on calling that a short runway.
William, Tim S, et al. I appreciate the humor. W’s first comment almost had my breakfast on the desk.
I have several thousand hours in all the earlier versions of the 737. My son has many hours in the latest versions. 7800 feet is not short. You do however need to land on the touchdown zone. Hate to speculate, but it does sound like a long landing.
FARs require 3 takeoff and landings every 90 days. They should add 3 go arounds every 90 days as well so that pilots are primed and ready to go around and have practiced the maneuver.
Flight crew experience level would be nice to know.
The number of crass comments always amazes me. I wouldn’t even call some of them ‘shooting from the hip’. I’d say the originate from another part of the anatomy.