VIDEO: Kona captain recounts ultralight crash rescue attempt

April 22, 2010 | Kailua-Kona, South Kona

Kealakekua Bay tragedy claims two lives

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – Video by David Corrigan

Mitch Kaufman shares his thoughts on the fatal ultralight crash in Kona on Wednesday. Kaufman was one of the first boat captains to mobilize in an attempt to save the lives of the two vicitims.

Kaufman explains how he and other employees with Captain Zodiac were the first on the scene of the crash, and how they tried their best to rescue 38-year-old pilot Tedd Robert Hecklin, owner of Tedd’s Flying Adventures in Kailua-Kona, and his female passenger, 37-year-old Kathryn Grace Moran of Kailua-Kona.

Despite the heroic effort, CPR performed on the victims was unsuccessful. Both Hecklin and Moran were later pronounced dead at Kona Communtiy Hospital.

Kaufman was scheduled to meet with investigators from the Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration immediately after doing this interview at Honokohau Harbor, where Captain Zodiac is based.

Tedd Robert Hecklin, owner of Tedd’s Flying Adventures, from www.Teddflying.com