There was nothing left of the small aircraft which submerged underwater after crashing shortly after take-off Wednesday about 20 miles off the island of Molokai, leaving only debris and questions to what caused the accident which killed Hawaii State Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy, the Associated Press reported.
"There was nothing recognizable immediately as aircraft debris, just general debris in the water," U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Weston Red Elk said, according to the AP. "I'm not sure at what point the main body of the aircraft submerged, but it was not present when we got there."
The aircraft was a 2002 Cessna Grand Caravan which had never had any previous issue before, according to Richard Schuman, the owner of Makani Kai Air which operated the plane, according to the AP. The crash occurred after the plane's only engine stopped working properly after the plane took off for Honolulu, the AP reported.
The pilot, whose name has not been released, will be interviewed by investigators as soon as he is released from the hospital where he's being treated for minor injuries, according to the AP. Schuman said the pilot did his best to ensure the plane landed as safely as possible and without causing great harm to the passengers.
"There's only one engine on that plane, and when it quits on you, you just have to deal with it in that moment," Schuman said, adding that the only way the survivors did so was through their own will.
Before rescuers arrived, deputy director Keith Yamamoto had helped Fuddy put on her life vest and held her hand to help her relax, according to Rev. Patrick Killilea who spoke with Yamamoto after the plane crash.
Fuddy was the second person to be lifted out of the water by Rescue Swimmer Mark Peer. The first was an Yamamoto who Peer said looked calm and just grabbed his arm, giving him a thumbs up, according to the AP.
"He recounted how he said he helped Loretta into her life jacket and he held her hand for some time," Rev. Killilea said, according to the AP. "They were all floating together and she let go and there was no response from her."
"Our hearts are broken," Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in a statement, the AP reported. "Loretta was deeply loved and respected. She was selfless, utterly dedicated and committed to her colleagues in the Department of Health and to the people of Hawaii. Her knowledge was vast; her counsel and advice always given from her heart as much as from her storehouse of experience."
There was a total of nine people on board, including the captain, and Fuddy was the only casualty. One of the passengers swam to shore, according to the United States Coast Guard. According to Petty Officer Stephen Woodbury, the Maui Fire Department picked up four people in a helicopter, and three others were rescued by the Coast Guard, the AP reported.
Rescuers said the remaining survivors in the water were calm and floating on their backs when helicopters arrived, the AP reported.
"I'm sure they were exhausted," Aviation Survival Technician P.J. Ornot said.
