Boeing 737 cargo jet ditches into sea off Honolulu, Hawaii

A Boeing 737 cargo plane with two people on board has ditched off the coast of Hawaii after experiencing engine trouble.

The aircraft was en route from Honolulu to the island of Maui, but went down in the water soon after taking off from Daniel K Inouye International Airport.

The Coast Guard rescued both pilots from the sea early on Friday morning.

One was found clinging to the plane's tail and airlifted to safety, Reuters news agency reports.

According to officials from the state's transport department, quoted by local outlet Hawaii News Now (HNN), he was airlifted to Queen's Medical Center and taken to intensive care in critical condition.

Rescuers brought the other pilot to shore by boat, HNN said. He is reportedly in a serious condition with a head injury.