- US Navy plane crash footage captures damage to endangered coral reef in Hawaii's Kaneohe Bay
- The huge P-8A aircraft was recovered after 1pm on Saturday
- Biologists plan to restore the damaged and overturned coral reef to 'give them a better chance of survival'
Underwater footage shows the destruction caused by a US military plane after it crashed into the sea and damaged endangered coral reefs.
The US Navy's P-8A was successfully recovered on Saturday after crew members spent 13 hours moving the aircraft.
An estimated $1.5 million was spent on the extraction and a 'deceased sea turtle' was found on site.
The military plane overshot the runway after missing its target Nov. 20 while trying to land at the U.S. Marine base 10 miles from Honolulu. Nine people on board at the time were physically unharmed.
After the crash, the huge military plane knocked off the tops of coral, trapping the tires between them.
Kim Fuller, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' division aquatic resources biologist, said Hawaii News Now that her team will knock over the now upside-down corals to “give them a better chance of survival.”
Underwater footage captured the devastation of the US military plane that crashed into Hawaii's Kaneohe Bay on November 20
The impact of the US Navy's P-8A managed to knock off the tops of endangered coral reefs and turn them upside down
Biologists began planning recovery efforts when they conducted their second site survey on Monday and plan to regain access to the reef on Tuesday.
Military officials have said the plane crash did not release any pollutants into Kaneohe Bay, home to coral reefs and an array of marine life such as sharks, octopuses and fish.
'I am extremely happy with what has been achieved. But more importantly, the way this was accomplished,” Marine base commander Jeremy Beaven said at a news conference.
It floated in the water for two weeks before Navy contractors designed a complex inflatable and rope system to float it to the surface and remove it from the water.
On Thursday, a dead sea turtle was found “floating between” two Navy barriers surrounding the plane.
Vice Adm. Kevin P. Lenox, the on-scene commander of the recovery operation, said, “I have no information on the cause of death of that particular sea turtle. DLNR reported a sick sea turtle struggling nearby yesterday, we suspect this is related.
The plane remained afloat in the water for two weeks before Navy contractors designed a complex inflatable and rope system to extract it at a cost of $1.5 million.
Biologists began planning recovery efforts when they conducted their second site survey on Monday and plan to regain access to the reef on Tuesday
“The Hawaiian Marine and Animal Recovery team seized that and they will do an assessment and if necessary we will perform a necropsy on that turtle to find out why it died.”
It is unclear why the plane crashed during a 'routine training'.
All nine on board managed to swim safely to shore and were unharmed.
One expert speculated that bad weather and wind made it more difficult to land on Kaneohe's shorter-than-average runway.
After the crash, local residents began warning of the risk to local wildlife, including several endangered species.
The bay is also a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks and a feeding ground for whale sharks.
After the crash, the huge military plane knocked off the tops of coral, trapping the tires between them
There were nine crew members on board at the time of the crash. All passengers managed to swim safely to shore and were unharmed
Kahaluu resident Jonee Kaina told Hawaii News Now, “I think someone needs to look at the impact the plane is having on our marine life. There is jet fuel, antifreeze and other toxins.”
The state of Hawaii said it is “unlikely” to fine the military for the crash.
The P-8A, a Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft used for intelligence, is manufactured by Boeing and shares many parts with the 737 commercial airliner.
Marine Corps Base Kaneohe is home to more than 25,000 Marines, sailors, family members and civilian employees.