The NTSB is continuing to investigate a December 15 crash involving a fixed-wing air ambulance King Air C90A off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, at 9:30 p.m. local time. As of late yesterday, emergency services had still not found the aircraft or its three crewmembers.
The 22-year-old King Air was flying at 5,000 feet before crashing shortly after the pilot reported to ATC that he was having problems with navigation equipment. The turboprop twin was en route to pick up a patient at Waimea on Hawaii's “Big Island.”
A flight instructor flying in the area who witnessed the crash said the aircraft hit the water nose down. The aircraft was operated by Global Medical Response (GMR) on behalf of Hawaii Life Flight.
GMR confirmed the loss on December 16: “We are asking you to continue to pray for our team members and their families. We have partnered with multiple agencies and our sister companies AirMed International and Reach Air Medical Services to bring additional resources in support of emergency air operations. Hawaii Life Flight and GMR extend our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard, Governor Green, Hawaii Emergency Air Lift, and the community for their assistance and continued support during this difficult time.”
GMR has temporarily suspended flights in the area. The Hawaii National Guard is supplementing medevac operations until civil service is restored.