Background
A flight of five aircraft, assigned call signs LANI 6 through LANI 10, was conducting an inter-island tour. The aircraft involved in the accident were a Beech C-45G, registration N888M (call sign LANI 8), and a Beech E18S, registration N162SP (call sign LANI 9).
Accident Sequence
The first aircraft, LANI 6, was cleared for takeoff and departed immediately. Subsequently, LANI 7, LANI 8, and LANI 9 contacted the tower for taxi clearance. In turn, LANI 7 was cleared for takeoff, while LANI 8 and LANI 9 were both instructed to hold on the runway. LANI 9 did not acknowledge the hold instruction. As LANI 7 began its takeoff roll, LANI 9 stopped short of the runway and informed the tower that it was ready for departure.
The pilot of LANI 9 later reported that after completing the takeoff checklist, he heard the tower clear LANI 8 for takeoff and simultaneously clear him (LANI 9) onto the runway to hold. He believed he observed LANI 8 taking off, but in reality LANI 8 was still holding in position. Consequently, LANI 9 collided with LANI 8.
Aftermath
Both aircraft sustained damage as a result of the collision. No further information regarding injuries, fatalities, or the extent of damage was provided in the source.