Maui Air, which specializes in aerial volcano tours and private charters, had a "perfect safety record," according to its website.

But that changed Wednesday night when one of its three 10-seat Piper Navajo Chieftains crashed shortly after taking off from Lanai Airport, killing pilot Richard Rooney, co-owner of the company, as well as two Maui County Department of Planning employees. Three other county employees were injured.

Maui Air was established on Maui in June 1993 and offers volcano tours over Kilauea and "eco flights" to Hana, Hale­akala, Mauna Loa and Hilo, according to its website. Officials at the Kahu­lui-based company could not be reached for comment.

Rooney is listed in state business registration records as president of the company, while his wife, Sheila Magers, is listed as vice president and 50 percent co-owner.

Magers registered the parent company, Maui Island Air Inc., to do business as Maui Air and Volcano Air Tours.

The company says it has Part 135 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate on-demand charter operations.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the plane that crashed was a twin-engine Piper PA31 Navajo. FAA records indicate the aircraft was manufactured in 1975.

Its airworthiness certificate was issued in 2002.