HONOLULU (AP) – The United States Navy estimates it will cost USD1.5 million to salvage a jet plane that crashed on a coral reef in Hawaii nearly two weeks ago, officials said.
Navy spokesman Mohammad Issa said the salvage efforts are focused on protecting the environment and safely recovering the aircraft in a way that retains its combat capability.
He said USD200,000 has already been spent on the operation.
The Navy plans to use inflatable cylinders to lift and roll the jet plane off the reef where it crashed on November 20. The P-8A, the military’s version of a Boeing 737 jet, slammed into an environmentally sensitive bay about 16 kilometres from Honolulu when it overshot the runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
None of the nine people on board were injured.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Commander Rear Admiral Kevin Lenox of Carrier Strike Group 3 who is leading the salvage effort said he is confident the operation can be carried out without further damaging the reef.
