P-8 Overrun Ends In Ocean Off Oahu (Updated)

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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.

32 COMMENTS

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

    • 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.

  5. 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.