Emergency services responded promptly this morning to a report of a plane crash near Upolu Airport. The incident, which occurred at 10:59 a.m., involved a single-engine Cessna aircraft that made an emergency landing in an open field south of the airport’s runway.

North Kohala patrol officers and multiple emergency units arrived on the scene to find the aircraft safely on the ground in a pasture. The pilot, the sole occupant of the plane, reported losing engine power while at approximately 300 feet altitude. The unexpected loss of power necessitated a hard landing in the open field.

The pilot sustained minor injuries but refused transport to the hospital. Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel provided treatment at the scene, and the pilot was released after receiving care.

The property where the plane landed is owned by the State of Hawaii. The aircraft and the incident are under review by relevant authorities to determine the cause of the engine failure.

The FAA has been notified and will be conducting an investigation to further understand the circumstances leading to the emergency landing. Fortunately, there were no additional injuries or damage reported beyond the aircraft itself.