An incident involving a Talofa Airways flight bound for American Samoa yesterday morning has resulted in the suspension of the airline’s service.
Airline CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter said in a telephone interview that the flight which departed from Fagalii was diverted to Faleolo International Airport after the pilot noticed an indication of an engine problem.
The right engine was not responding properly to pilot actions.
Toleafoa said the plane headed to Faleolo so the engine could be checked out, but upon landing the pilot was experiencing problems because the engine was not slowing down.
“The pilot worked the brakes, just enough to help counter the engine but the brakes overheated and burned,” he said.
“These things happen, no airline around the world is immune to these unexpected events”.
Toleafoa said all passengers on yesterday’s flight were safe.
Samoa Civil Aviation Authority has suspended Talofa Airways operations while an investigation is carried out.
“Right now we are looking after our customers travel needs and we ask the general public to bear with us,”.
He said some passengers are being booked on flights with Samoa Airways.
The incident and subsequent suspension of service has not dampened the owners’ spirits.
“We are still looking at a replacement plane for our second aircraft as this is what happens with a one plane operation,” said Toleafoa.
The investigation is likely to take at least two week
