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Near miss at airport: Poly Air & helicopter avoid collision

Director of Port Administration, Taimalelagi Clair Tuia Poumele is awaiting reports from both the pilot of the West Pacific helicopter and the Polynesian Airline (PAL) pilot as to why the plane and the helicopter almost collided.

 

The incident occurred last week Friday, May 2, 2014, where according to the airport supervisor Maiava Leota during his tour of duty between 3:30p.m. and 11:30p.m. “the airport airfield and the approach systems are monitored by our aviation radio on a 24/7 basis.”

 

According to the report prepared by Maiava for the airport manager Tavita Fuimaono, at 5:50p.m., PAL Flight #268 approached the runway for landing and a minute later the helicopter flight called in, saying they were approaching the runway for take off.

 

“Ten seconds later, I heard PAL #268 saying they’re are going to execute a missed approached (pulling up at right side of runway 08). When I headed to the ramp, I saw PAL#268 climbing up and diverting to East tip to reset DME (Distance measuring equipment) and approach runway 05 for landing. DME is a transponder-based radio navigation device that measures slant range distance by timing the propagation delay of radio signals.

 

Maiava stated in his report that PAL arrived safely.

 

He further stated in his report that he requested a report from the PAL pilot.

 

In his report, Maiava says the PAL pilot said when the plane passed McDonald’s (overhead) he saw the helicopter heading straight to Runway 08, and he called and notified the helicopter that he (PAL #268) was already on approach to runway 08 for landing — but the helicopter did not respond.

 

Maiava said that the chief pilot for the West Pac helicopter later told Maiava, “They made a mistake and apologized for the miscommunication.”

 

Samoa News has not been able to verify who owns the “West Pac” helicopter, and what the company exactly does in American Samoa. According to Maiava’s report, the helicopter seems to have hangar space at the airport, as he reported that the PAL aircraft “arrived safely and blocked in the helicopter that was in the hangar”.

 

The report was filed immediately by Maiava with the FAA after the incident, according to the Port director, who said she was also informed of the situation, at the same time, and they are continuing their investigation into this matter.

 

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 Representative Taotasi Archie Soliai sent a letter informing the Port director of this matter, and Samoa News understands the Director already knew of the incident at the time.

 

Taotasi in his letter stated that he wanted to bring to the director’s attention the incident that happened last week Friday.

 

Only “the alertness and quick decision-making by the Polynesian Airlines pilots avoided what could have been a tragic accident,” Taotasi wrote. “It is my understanding that the Polynesian Airlines pilots tried to communicate with the helicopter pilot to no avail, and then made a quick decision to abort landing to avoid what could have been a tragedy.”

 

The faipule went on to note that the  “incident raises grave safety concerns for obvious reasons,” and as such he asks that an investigation on this incident be initiated as soon as possible. “I am sure that you would agree with me that without an air traffic control tower locally, it is absolutely imperative that we exhaust all possible resources available to ensure that our airways are protected at all times so that any potential tragedy is averted,” he pointed out.

 

Taotasi said that an immediate investigation is warranted to ensure that violations or policy deficiencies, if any, are addressed so that any recurrent incident of this nature can be avoided.

 

“Further, I am certain that there are federal guidelines under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by which our airspace, particularly near the airport, is regulated. I implore you to contact the FAA for assistance in this matter.”

 

Copies of the letter were given to the Deputy Port Director, Chris King and Polynesian Airlines Pago Pago Manager, Toe Loia.