National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Kapalua, HI Accident Number: ANC19LA046

Date & Time: 08/18/2019, 1037 HST Registration: N879MA
Aircraft: Cessna 208B Injuries: 10 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled

On August 18, 2019, about 1037 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a turbine-powered Cessna
208B airplane, N879MA, sustained substantial damage after overrunning the end of Runway 2
during the landing roll, at the Kapalua Airport (JHM) Lahaina, Hawaii. The airplane was being
operated as Flight 504 by Mokulele Airlines, Kahului, Hawaii, as a scheduled commuter flight
under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 and visual flight rules
(VFR). Of the 10 occupants onboard, the captain a certificated airline transport pilot, the first
officer a commercial pilot, and the eight passengers were not injured. Day visual
meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an instrument flight plan
had been filed but not activated. The flight originated from the Daniel K Inouye International
Airport (HNL) Honolulu, about 0947.

According to the captain, during the second flight of the day, while landing at Kapalua, the first
officer was the pilot flying, and he was the monitoring pilot. He added that, during the
approach to the 3,000 ft. long, by 100 ft. wide asphalt-covered runway, the airspeed was about
35 knots too fast, and the airplane touched down about halfway down the runway, "a little
longer than normal". He said that after touchdown, the first officer moved the propeller thrust
lever into beta range (reverse), but "something didn't feel right" and that the airplane was not
decelerating. Subsequently, the captain took control of the airplane, applied the thrust lever to
full reverse, but the airplane did not slow down. The captain said that he applied maximum
brakes, but the main landing gear wheels locked and began to skip. The airplane subsequently
overran the departure end of Runway 2 and continued down an embankment, and into an area
of tree and brush-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left aileron.

The first officer reported that, during the approach, the airplane was a little fast and floated
longer down the runway than normal. He was not sure of the exact touchdown point but noted
that he did not hear any loud noise typically associated with the application of the beta. The
captain then took the flight controls and applied full reverse with no change or deceleration.
The captain then applied full brakes, but the airplane exited the runway. All crew and
passengers evacuated through the main door and nobody was injured.

A passenger seated in the rear of the airplane, who was also a pilot for the company reported
that, while leaving the HNL airport, he observed and heard the beta operation of the airplane

Page 1 of 3 ANC19LA046
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
function properly. He added that, during the landing, the airplane touched down around
taxiway bravo, which is approximately 1,500 ft or halfway down the runway. He was not able to
confirm that the pilots were applying beta during the landing roll, however, he did feel the
brakes being applied. He noted that he did not hear or smell the brakes being locked up, and
that after the accident no tire skid marks were present on the runway or runway overrun.

The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the
time of the accident, the wind was from 050° at 12 knots.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna Registration: N879MA
Model/Series: 208B Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Mokulele Airlines Operating Certificate(s) Commuter Air Carrier (135)
Held:
Operator Does Business As: Mokulele Airlines Operator Designator Code: MK9A

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PHJH, 240 ft msl Observation Time: 2045 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 18°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3000 ft agl Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 12 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Honolulu, HI (HNL) Destination: Kapalua, HI (JHM)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 8 None Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 10 None Latitude, Longitude: 20.969722, -156.669167 (est)

Page 2 of 3 ANC19LA046
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating Persons:
Note:
Eric A Swenson
John Cline; FAA; Fargo, ND
Les Doud; Hatzell Propeller; Piqua, OH
The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Page 3 of 3 ANC19LA046
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.