Amid devastating Maui wildfires, a vacationing Denver pilot steps in to fly hundreds home

When Vince Eckelkamp booked his family holiday to Hawaii, he never imagined that he would be the one flying the plane back home.

The Eckelkamp family was heading out of Maui on August 8, when chaos ensued because of the wildfires burning through Maui, canceling their flight and leaving them stranded at the airport.

Eckelkamp, a resident of Denver and a line training manager at United Airlines told USA TODAY that everything started going south on the last day of their vacation.

"We knew from weather reports that the wind was really supposed to kick up on Monday and Tuesday before we left. Monday wasn't too bad but Tuesday, the day we were leaving, the winds were really bad," said Eckelkamp, adding that the winds knocked out the power across the island, forcing them to pack and check out in the dark. Eckelkamp said that at that time they were unaware of the fires but were warned by the hotel management of the situation in Lahaina, which they had to pass to get to Kahului Airport.

The drive to the airport turned out to be a nightmare, as a result of the high winds and fires. However, the family managed to reach the airport on time.

Chaos

Their flight was initially scheduled to leave on time at 8 p.m. Tuesday, but after getting delayed several times, it was eventually canceled. Eckelkamp explained that flight attendants couldn't make it to the airport because of the fires and that the airline was unable to track them down due to poor connection.

"At the time everything was just so much in chaos from the fires that were happening in real-time," said Eckelkamp.

The flight was rescheduled to noon the next day and the Eckelcamp family along with other passengers on the plane were forced to spend the night at the airport as there were no hotel rooms available. However, it turned out that the airport was one of the safer places on the island with power, running water and food.

"That just tells you how bad and how chaotic it was."

Eckelkamp said he knew the pilot who was scheduled to fly the plane the next day, so he texted him to let him know that he can step in if needed. Eckelkamp explained that due to limited flights and the crisis, the entire situation was a logistical nightmare.

"Everything was so fluid and so crazy."

The next morning, the flight again was delayed from noon to 3:30 p.m. and Eckelkamp, once again, let his teammates know that he was available, should the need arise. At that time, the airline had decided to fly out to San Fransico first instead of straight to Denver, which would allow the pilots enough rest time, so they told Eckelkamp that he was not needed. But Eckelkamp picked up his checked bag, anyway.

"I was like, 'You know, they might need me. They might change their minds.'"

And soon enough, his colleague reached out and asked if he would still be willing to fly the plane to San Francisco. Eckelkamp immediately said yes.

"If I hadn't stepped up, or if I wasn't there [the flight would have been canceled]. And I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and was able to do the right thing," said Eckelkamp.

Around 330 passengers were expected to fly on the 737, which usually does not fly between Honolulu and Maui. United Airlines has commissioned some of its bigger jets to supply relief goods to those affected by the wildfires in Maui.

Fortunately, Eckelkamp had his license with him along with his earpiece and flashlight - everything that he needed to fly safely. However, he did not have his uniform and needed approval from the flight office duty manager to fly out of uniform.

"I asked the captain to make the decision and seek approval from the authorities to allow me to fly out of uniform," said Eckelkamp. The captain did that and called the crew desk, which sent their approval, sending the wheels in motion.

Eckelkamp joked that once they landed in San Francisco and he thanked the passengers for flying with him, they were confused because he was in his shorts, tennis shoes and polo shirt.

"I'm sure [as] they walked off the airplane, they were like, 'Who's that guy in shorts and tennis shoes saying goodbye to us? What was his role in this whole thing?'"

Locals plight

"Everyone at the airport had a story," said Eckelkamp, sharing that the lady at the ticket counter had no idea where her sister was and that one of the police officers said that his partner's home burnt down in the fires.

"There were so many sad stories," said Eckelkamp. "We were initially like 'Hey! This is the worst day of our lives, you know, for traveling.' I mean, it's terrible. But then we talked to the people and saw how much the locals were trying to help out and it went to, what can we do to help like anything we can do to help?"

"I just did a small piece. The people [locals] are the real heroes. What they were going through, and now what they have to rebuild for their families and homes and everything else. I mean, it's just it's a lot for them."

Proud family

Vince's family was also proud of stepping up, with his wife Kathy, writing on Facebook: "On behalf of the 300+ passengers and crew (and one incredibly happy wife), I would like to thank Captain Vince Eckelkamp for selflessly giving up a vacation day to get us all back to the mainland so that we didn’t have to sleep on that dirty airport floor one more night!"

"In a time of crisis while Maui was trying to evacuate and get more and more people home you stepped up! I’m so proud to be your wife," she added. "Our hearts are heavy for all of the loss in Maui! We were truly lucky."

Having conducted rescue operations and humanitarian missions for evacuation in Somalia and Rwanda during his time in the United States Air Force, Eckelkamp is no stranger to difficult expeditions but the last-minute flight was something he had never experienced before because the tragedy was unfolding in real-time and was not something that happened.

"I've had a lot of experiences but this was by far one of the most rewarding. I was able to be in the right place at the right time and was able to help. I just feel blessed that I was there. It's something I'll never forget."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado pilot on vacation flew hundreds to safety amid Hawaii fires