Talofa Airways is resuming flights on the Apia Pago Pago route this weekend.
A statement from the Apia-based airline yesterday said, “We are pleased to announce that our normal scheduled flights to and from American Samoa will commence on Monday, May 7 Samoa time and Sunday May 6, in American Samoa.”
Talofa Airways was grounded by Samoa Civil Aviation Authority following an April 24 incident with its Turbo Commando aircraft.
Airline President and CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter said at the time, one of the plane’s engines was not responding properly to pilot actions, and the flight, which was heading to Pago Pago from Fagalii was diverted to Faleolo Airport.
When the plane landed the pilot was experiencing problems because the engine was not slowing down.
Toleafoa told KHJ News that the pilot worked the brakes, just enough to help counter the engine “but the brakes overheated and burned,”
Efforts to obtain information on the results of the Samoa Civil Aviation Authority investigation of the incident were not successful.
Talofa Air passengers were accommodated on Samoa Airways while others were issued refunds.
