US Navy Recovers Fuel from Jet That Overshot Runway into Environmentally Sensitive Bay in Hawaii

The US Navy has successfully removed fuel from a reconnaissance jet that overshot a runway in Hawaii and ended up in an environmentally sensitive bay. The recovery operation is ongoing as the Navy works to retrieve the aircraft.

Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox announced at a news conference that the Navy estimated the aircraft was carrying just over 2,000 gallons of fuel. The extraction of the fuel was carried out to prevent any environmental damage to Kaneohe Bay, situated on the eastern side of Oahu Island and home to a significant barrier coral reef.

The aircraft involved in the incident is a P-8A Poseidon, a twin-engine multi-mission patrol and reconnaissance jet with the airframe of a Boeing 737 passenger plane. It was carrying nine crew members when it overshot the runway on November 20. Fortunately, none of the crew sustained injuries in the incident.

As of now, the aircraft remains submerged in the bay, resting on a mixture of coral and sand, with the left engine positioned on coral, according to Commander Mark Anderson, who leads the mobile diving and salvage unit at the site.

Anderson explained that the plane’s position in the water allows it to rise with the tide, preventing the full weight of the aircraft from resting on the coral. Although there may be some minor damage to the aircraft, Anderson noted that there are no significant concerns at this time.

The primary focus of the operation is currently on stabilizing the aircraft and devising a plan for its removal from the water.

Rear Adm. Lenox revealed that the Navy is considering two options for extracting the aircraft from the bay and returning it to the runway. One option involves floating the aircraft within range of a crane, which would then lift it onto the runway and set it down on its landing gear. The other option is to float the jet on top of cylinders and roll it onto the runway.

Lenox emphasized that the Navy’s mission is to retain the operational capabilities of the aircraft, and the team of experts is dedicated to developing a course of action that prioritizes personnel safety, environmental protection, and the restoration of mission capability.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and ground partners continue to assess the environmental impact of the aircraft’s presence in Kaneohe Bay.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnn.com