Chuuk

AIC accepts delegation of Chuuk probe

The accident occurred on September 28th, 2018, at Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

The Minister for Civil Aviation, Alfred Manase, announced that: “In accordance with the international obligations of States (countries) to comply with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the FSM Government, through Mr. Luckner Weilbacher, FSM Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure, requested that the PNG AIC accept the delegation for the continuation and conclusion of the investigation.

Passenger’s body repatriated: Air Niugini

“On Sunday morning, at Chuuk airport a little before 04.30 local time, government representatives from the highest levels of the Federated States of Micronesia attended a solemn ceremony as the body was boarded onto Flight PX 5071 for the first part of the journey to Port Moresby, arriving at Jackson’s International Airport at little over 3 hours later,” said Air Niugini.

Divers retrieve aircraft's Flight Data Recorder

The Recorders will be transported to Port Moresby's AIC laboratory for data downloading and analysis.

Minister Manasseh further stated that the aircraft is on the seabed 30 meters below the surface of the Chuuk Lagoon.

“Due to the contamination of the water from leaking aircraft fuel, the search of the aircraft had been delayed until the contamination dispersed to a level safe for the divers.”

The diving will continue on Wednesday to recover the Cockpit voice recorder and other recording devices from the aircraft.

PX crash update

The airline also confirmed that the United States Divers have completed an inspection inside the aircraft which landed short of Chuuk International Airport.

Air Niugini in a statement said the US divers have confirmed that all the passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft.

This has been also confirmed by other passengers that the unaccounted person had been safely evacuated from the aircraft and was seen in one of the local dinghies that were assisting with transporting the passengers and crew to the shore.

Air Niugini aircraft crash lands in FSM waters

Air Niugini General Manager Marketing Dominic Kaumu confirmed with Loop PNG.

Mr Kaumu said the passengers are currently being rescued by locals.  

The plane was scheduled to stop in Chuuk on its way from Pohnpei to Port Moresby.

According to Air Niugini media personnel, the management is currently in a crisis meeting.

Meantime, locals in Chuuk who witnessed the accident have been posting pictures and videos on Facebook.

The pictures show rescuers responding to the crash, to help passengers and crew members to shore.