Director of Port Administration Barney Sene says a report of the findings from their inspection Thursday of the Samoa Airways aircraft involved in the landing incident at Fitiuta Airport is being compiled.
He and four senior staff members traveled by charter to Fitiuta Thursday and surveyed the site where the Samoa Airways plane rested after it veered off the runway. Sene said the nose of the Twin Otter aircraft broke off and the left wheel of the plane is buried under debris where the plane came to rest.
Post Administration is also assessing the procedures and process that was followed in response to the incident, including whether the response was on time. Sene said the emergency procedures provides a 3 minute response to an event. Their assessment would also look at whether staff communicated and responded according to procedures and whether the airport was secured when the incident happened.
The Director said Port will consult with Samoa Airways about moving the aircraft. He said if the airline wants to make repairs at Fitiuta Airport before ferrying the aircraft out, it’s possible they would move it to the apron area. This will be discussed at their conference call with Samoa Airways on Monday.
