Environmental impacts feared after Navy aircraft overshoots runway, ends up in Kaneohe Bay

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A large U.S. Navy aircraft ended up in shallow waters of Kaneohe Bay on Monday afternoon after overshooting the runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The incident happened about 1:57 p.m. when the P-8 Poseidon aircraft was landing.

Following the incident, the plane could be seen partially submerged in shallow waters.

Authorities confirmed the aircraft had nine people on board and all of them made it to shore uninjured. The crew was conducting “routine training” at the time, military officials said.

The Boeing P8 Poseidon is described as a military surveillance and patrol aircraft.

Aircraft expert Peter Forman said the runway in Kaneohe is shorter, and bad weather and winds may also have played a part.

“The pilot probably didn’t put the plane down exactly where he wanted to on the runway,” Forman said. “It’s probably a combination of all those factors put together.”

There’s no word on how long it will take to remove the wreckage, but some residents are concerned about the environmental impact.

“I’m so glad that everyone was rescued and survived the crash,” Kahaluu resident Jonee Kaina said.

“But I think someone needs to take a look at the impact the plane is doing to our marine life. There is jet fuel, anti-freeze and other toxins.”

The military quickly surrounded the crash site with booms to keep any leaked fuel from spreading, but did not offer any assessment of the environmental damage.

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