Extraordinary scenes show U.S. Navy recovering £135m spy plane from bay

07 December 2023 , 15:59

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The P-8A Poseidon plane overshot the runway and crashed last month (Image: US Marines/SWNS)

Extraordinary images show the moment a £135million ($170million) spy plane is recovered by the U.S. Navy after it overshot the runway and crashed last month.

The P-8A Poseidon plane had been sitting in waters just off Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. The aircraft was carrying nine crew members when it overshot the runway and crashed on November 20, forcing those aboard to swim to safety. None of those on board were injured.

During an operation which ended last weekend, the Poseidon was recovered from where it was resting on coral around 50 feet offshore. The U.S. Navy were drafted in and the aircraft was floated back to shore on inflatable salvage roller bags. Private industry diving and salvage experts worked alongside U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines during the operation.

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The plane had been sitting in waters just off Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii (US Marines/SWNS)

A Navy spokesperson said on Saturday: "Sailors and Marines are actively working with local and off-island specialists to recover the structurally intact P-8A Poseidon; environmental protection measures are in place, including 24/7 monitoring, containment booms, absorbent material, and a skimmer on standby."

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Pictures taken during the operation show the plane resting on large inflatable bags as it is carefully dragged back to shore. The aircraft appears to be in a fairly good condition, although parts of the front and rear are slightly damaged, as is some of the white paint work.

Private industry diving and salvage experts worked alongside U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines during the operation (US Marines/SWNS)

The expensive jet is usually based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, and was conducting routine training for maritime patrol and reconnaissance. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

According to Navy Times, video footage was released in the days after the crash showing the aircraft’s landing gear wheels resting on parts of crushed coral. In the footage, the majority of the plane could be seen floating above the reef in Kaneohe Bay.

The aircraft was floated back to shore on inflatable salvage roller bags (US Marines/SWNS)

All of the estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel was removed from the aircraft during the operation. Now the plane has been recovered, Hawaii state officials will examine the reef to check for damage.

The P-8A is known as a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sensors and weapons systems for anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions. Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 3 who led the recovery operation, said last week that the Navy hopes to get the aircraft flying again.

Dean Murray