Daniel K Inouye Intl — Safety History & Runway Risks
NTSB accident analysis for PHNL: 10 events analyzed
Honolulu, HI · 13.5 ft MSL · 6 runways
Based on 10 NTSB events at PHNL (Daniel K Inouye Intl), the most important risks for pilots are:
- Engine failure on departure over water. A 2017 Piper PA-28-140 lost engine power shortly after takeoff and crashed under a highway overpass; a 2021 Boeing 737 cargo flight ditched in Mamala Bay after crew mismanaged a dual-engine scenario. For GA pilots, a departure engine failure at PHNL often leaves no viable forced-landing option on land.
- Windshear and gusty crosswinds on approach and landing. Three events (2008 Piper PA-32, 2008 Cessna 172 takeoff, 2009 Cessna 172 takeoff) involved gusting winds in the 16–20 kt range; a 2008 Piper PA-32 hard landing on 04R was explicitly caused by windshear on short final with gusts to 19 kts. Prevailing trade winds from the 060–080° range interact with terrain to produce localized windshear, particularly on runways 04L/R.
- Night operations risk. The most severe event in the dataset—the 2021 Transair 737 ditching with one serious injury and aircraft destroyed—occurred at 0145 local time in darkness. Night departures over water eliminate visual horizon and surface references, compounding engine emergency management difficulty.
Source: NTSB accident records analyzed by Tropiq. Updated 4/14/2026.
Safety History
10 eventsDaniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL) shows 10 NTSB-recorded events from 2008–2023, with no incidents in the last 12 months and 3 in the last 5 years. The dominant risk themes are wind-related landing control issues (windshear, crosswinds, gusts) and engine failures shortly after takeoff—both categories with potentially catastrophic consequences given the ocean surroundings. GA pilots operating light aircraft should be especially alert to gusty trade wind conditions and the unique ditching risk inherent to overwater departures and arrivals.
Over 15 years, events have been distributed fairly evenly with no single year showing clustering, and 9 of 10 events occurred in VMC. The airport's risk profile is dominated by wind/landing control issues and engine failure consequences unique to an island airport.
- •9 of 10 events occurred in VMC—good weather does not protect against the primary risks here
- •Wind directions at the time of events were predominantly from 050–080°, consistent with typical Hawaiian trade winds, often with gusts 16–25 kts
- •Student and low-experience pilots are disproportionately represented in GA incidents (2009 Cessna 172, 2012 Cessna 172P)
- •Engine failure events (2017 PA-28, 2021 B737) both resulted in serious injuries and substantial or total aircraft destruction, reflecting the limited forced-landing options
- •Turbulence-related events affecting airliners en route to PHNL suggest a broader Hawaiian Island convective and CAT environment relevant to all IFR pilots
- •Zero fatalities across all 10 events is notable, but serious injuries occurred in 4 events
Runway Analysis
Key Risks
Common Causes
Seasonal Patterns
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database. Analysis generated 2026-04-14. This data is provided for flight planning awareness and does not replace official safety briefings.
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