Flight Struggled After Takeoff
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. as the MD-11F was en route to Honolulu. NTSB spokesperson Todd Inman said, “The plane lifted off, cleared the fence at the end of Runway 17R, but shortly after, it struck structures and terrain off airport property.”

The plane’s violent impact and the left engine separation caused massive damage. CBS News’ Kris Van Cleave explained, “That 5-ton engine was thrown across the runway and into the grass area on the right side.” Debris likely damaged the right wing, raising concerns that two engines may have malfunctioned during takeoff.

Flight Recorders Recovered
Despite the intense fire, investigators recovered the plane’s black boxes. Inman noted, “They were not in post-impact fire for