Honolulu - Palmyra

On January 5, 1980 at 07:00 AM, Honolulu - Palmyra experienced a crash involving Lockheed 18 LodeStar, operated by Fred C. Sorenson, with the event recorded near Palmyra Atoll United States Minor Outlying Islands.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

9 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 9 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Honolulu to the Palmyra Atoll, carrying amateur radio operators. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with trees. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all nine occupants evacuated, some of them were injured. On approach, the pilot estimated cross wind gusting to 15 knots but the wind was calm below tree level on runway.

Aircraft reference details include registration N163R, MSN 2492A, year of manufacture 1943.