Near mid air collision in Samoa investigated
An investigation has been launched into an incident where a Polynesian Airlines plane nearly collided with a Samoa Air aircraft above Vaimoso on 21 June this year.
The investigation i s being carried out by the Civil Aviation division of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI), CEO of Polynesian Airlines, Taua Fatu Tielu confirmed.
“The near collision was the result of miscommunication,” Taua said adding that it’s the first time such an incident has surfaced.
“Both airlines have lodged reports with the Civil Aviation and the investigation has already started on the matter.”
Repeated attempts to get a comment from Civil Aviation yesterday were unsuccessful.
But Taua said a report filed by the Polynesian Airline pilot who manned the aircraft that day indicated that Samoa Air did not advise them about the path of its flight.
“But Samoa Air claims that they did advise us,” said Taua.
The miscommunication resulted in the two planes being on the same flight path.
Chief Pilot for Samoa Air, Peniata Maiava, who flew the airline’s plane that day, downplayed the incident. Mr Maiava said he was with a co-pilot during the flight.
He told the Samoa Observer they were flying out of Fagali’i Airport while Polynesian Airlines was heading to Fagali’i and both planes had no passengers on board.
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