Accident Overview
On a scheduled passenger flight at night from Maui to Molokai, Hawaii, a De Havilland DHC-6 aircraft, registration N707PV, operating as Aloha Islandair flight 1712, collided with mountainous/hilly terrain near Halawa Bay. The impact occurred at an elevation of approximately 500 feet, shortly after the aircraft had descended over water and crossed the shoreline. The aircraft crashed while on a heading parallel to the island's northern shoreline.
Navigational Error and Weather
Evidence indicated that the captain had made a navigational error and mistakenly believed that he was circumnavigating the northern portion of Molokai Island. Low clouds obscured the mountain tops in the area of the accident.
Management and Oversight
There was evidence of inadequate supervision of personnel, training, and operations by Aloha Islandair management. Additionally, insufficient oversight of Aloha Islandair by the Federal Aviation Administration occurred during a period of the airline's rapid operational expansion.
Occupants
All 20 occupants aboard the aircraft were killed.