U.S. Military Releases First Official Photos Of P-8A Poseidon Into The Water In Hawaii

The new images provide a close view at the P-8A Poseidon that ended up in water during landing at MCAS Kanheohe Bay, Hawaii.

As already reported, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft ended in water after overshooting the runway during landing at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, on Nov. 20, 2023. The crew, safely evacuated the aircraft after the mishap without immediate injuries.

Images circulated online after the mishap, showed the aircraft, P-8A 169561 YD-561, belonging to the VP-4 “Skinny Dragons” based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, surrounded by water some 50 yards offshore.

A Navy statement released in the aftermath of the incident said floating barriers were employed to protect the surrounding environment, while divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 worked overnight to help stabilize the aircraft. Preliminary assessments indicated the airframe is structurally intact and no leaks from the aircraft have been spotted but the situation is being monitored and a number of mitigation measures have been put in place to protect the local environment and wildlife.

New images just released by the U.S. military through the DVIDS network show U.S. Navy Sailors with Waterfront Operations, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, as the deployed two environmental containment booms around the P-8A. The three photographs are the first official images of the Poseidon in the waters off the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, MCBH.

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.