Air Niugini Chuuk crash probe uncovers safety deficiencies

7:19 am on 4 December 2018

An investigation into the crash of an Air Niugini plane in Micronesia has uncovered potentially fatal safety deficiencies on board.

The Air Niugini plane after it crashed into the sea short of the runway at Chuuk, in Federated States of Micronesia.

The Air Niugini plane after it crashed into the sea short of the runway at Chuuk, in Federated States of Micronesia. Photo: Supplied / US Navy

One person died and six were injured in September when an Air Niugini flight to Chuuk overshot the runway and plunged into the sea.

In its probe, the Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission found issues it said could result in injury or death.

The Boeing 737 which crashed in September had life rafts prepped for launch at three separate exits.

The Commission said this violated Air Niguini's safety procedures, which state life rafts are only to deploy from one door.

It also found on board safety cards showed the wrong path for accessing life rafts.

Last week, Chief Commissioner Hubert Namani wrote to the airline asking it to ensure the cards are fixed.

He said the other Boeing 737 in Air Niugini's fleet has the same equipment as the one which crashed.

The investigation into Air Niugini is ongoing.

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