The Minister for Civil Aviation, Hon. Alfred Manase, MP, today announced that the PNG Accident Investigation Commission has accepted the full delegation of the investigation into the Air Niugini Boeing 737 aircraft accident on 28th September 2018, at Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
Mr. Manase said, “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.”
Mr. Manase added “my Government fully supports the PNG AIC accepting this delegated responsibility. The AIC has demonstrated that it is a leader in aircraft accident and serious incident investigation in the Pacific Region.”
AIC Chief Commissioner, Mr. Hubert Namani said “in accepting the delegated responsibility, the AIC will now be responsible for issuing the Final Report. The AIC team has been, and will continue to work diligently to analyse all evidence and to bring the investigation to a conclusion that will enhance aviation safety.
“The investigation will continue to be a no-blame investigation that is completely independent of State regulators, law enforcement authorities, service providers, and the aviation industry.”
Mr. Namani added, “as the investigation agency now responsible for the investigation, the AIC will continue to liaise with the FSM, US National Transportation Safety Board, and Air Niugini Limited, and all other organisations that could assist with evidence to bring about the most comprehensive report to improve aviation safety.
“The AIC will issue an independent Final Accident Investigation Report in accordance with the ICAO Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, PNG legislation and the AIC Investigation Policy and Procedures.”
Mr. Manase said, “This marks a major milestone for the PNG AIC. It is the second delegated major aircraft accident from a Regional neighbour country since July 2018, following the AIC’s acceptance of the responsibility for the Air Vanautu, ATR 72, major aircraft accident that occurred at Port Vila on 28 July 2018.”
Source: Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission
