Search for Plane Is Suspended Near Hawaii After Three Days; 8 Missing

The Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday for a twin-engine commuter plane that disappeared in Hawaii last week with eight people aboard, including a family from Sherman Oaks. However, the search may be resumed if mariners report any sightings of survivors or debris, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

More than three days of intensive searching between Oahu and Molokai and along the shores of both islands turned up no trace of the Panorama Air Piper Chieftain which was on a scheduled 22-minute, 50-mile flight from Honolulu to Molokai when it disappeared Wednesday.

Passengers who flew on the plane on a sightseeing tour of the islands earlier Wednesday said pilot Steve Baayoun, 27, was having trouble getting the lever on his door to lock securely, a story in the Honolulu Advertiser said. But a Federal Aviation Administration investigator and the president of Panorama Air said they were unaware of any problems with the plane.

Panorama Air has identified five of the seven passengers on the flight as travel agent Adrian Kramer, her husband, David Crohn, and their 7-year-old son, Michael Crohn, of Sherman Oaks. Kramer’s ex-husband, Land Kramer, and Patricia Parker, both of Hartford, Conn., were also on the plane.

The names of a couple from Italy were being withheld until relatives can be notified.