VIDEO: Three Honolulu aircraft rescue firefighters are talking for the first time about their role in helping save two pilots earlier this month after engine failure caused their Boeing 737 cargo plane to crash in the ocean off Kalaeloa.
On July 2, the pilot of Transair Flight 810 to Kahului alerted air traffic control it was headed back to Honolulu’s airport because of an in-flight emergency.
“We’ve lost number one engine,” the pilot said over the radio.
“And we’re coming straight to the airport. We’re going to need the fire department. It’s a chance we’re going to lose the other engine, too. It’s running very hot.” “It was about 1:40 in the morning,” said Airport Fire Lt. Ray Vegas.
Everybody at the fire station was asleep.
“You hear the alarms go off and you get up real fast,” said Airport Equipment Operator Terrence Kashima.
Firefighter Stuart Lee was on watch that night.