On Monday, the U.S. Navy announced the successful extraction of almost all the fuel from a sizable aircraft that exceeded the runway in Hawaii, ultimately landing in a bay with environmental sensitivity.

However, there is currently no set schedule for the removal of the aircraft from the water, as stated by Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox, who reported approximately 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of fuel onboard the P-8A.

“The team extracted all the fuel that they could get out of those tanks. This process was completed successfully without any fuel being released into the bay,” Lenox said at a news conference.

No injuries were reported among the nine individuals aboard when the aircraft landed on November 20 in shallow waters just off Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Honolulu.

Cmdr. Mark Anderson, heading the Navy’s mobile diving and salvage unit at the site, noted that the plane is situated on a mix of coral and sand, with the left engine resting on coral.

Due to the tide, the plane slightly rises, alleviating the full weight on the coral, the Associated Press reported.

Kaneohe Bay, known for its coral reefs, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, and as a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks, may have experienced minor damage to the coral, though Commander Anderson indicated that there weren’t significant chunks missing.

Currently, the primary focus is on stabilizing the plane and formulating a plan for its relocation.

Once the plane is removed, state environmental officials anticipate conducting a damage assessment.

Written by B.C. Begley