24 Jan 2006

Solomon Islands passenger plane narrowly avoids crash

10:20 am on 24 January 2006

Reports from Solomon Islands say a plane taking off from Lata in Temotu province narrowly avoided an accident.

The light aircraft with 17 passengers on board had just taken off for Honiara when eyewitnesses say the plane hit the top of some coconut trees and then veered off to avoid crashing into a plantation.

The local agent of Solomon Airlines has confirmed the incident but wasn't a witness.

He said the aircraft was leased from Fiji Air and had two pilots from Fiji.