Hawaii plane crash: Nine people killed as plane on skydiving trip goes down

Nine people have died in a plane crash in Hawaii.

The twin-engine King Air plane, which was on a skydiving excursion, went down near Dillingham Airfield on Friday.

There appeared to be no survivors, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) said in a statement.

Family members of those onboard were at the airfield when it happened, authorities have said.

It is not yet known what caused the crash.

Posting on Twitter, the DOT wrote: "With extreme sadness HDOT reports there were 9 souls on board the King Air twin engine plane that went down near Dillingham Airfield with no apparent survivors."

Nine people were killed in the crash, authorities said (REUTERS)

The plane crashed in Hawaii on Friday (file photo) (Getty)

Witnesses said the plane was engulfed in flames.

Honolulu Fire Department Chief Manuel P. Neves told KGMB: "This is the most tragic aircraft incident that we had. We had some helicopters with the military but this is a civilian plane that went down and with that many people on board."

Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell posted on Twitter: "I am closely following the tragic developments out of Dillingham Airfield this evening. At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims."

Nine people died in a plane crash in Hawaii

It happened at 6.20pm local time, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reports.

An aerial search of the area is being carried out.

Honolulu Emergency Services Department said crews “assisted with the death pronouncements of nine people involved in an aircraft crash”.

The victims have yet to be identified.