Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Talofa Airways is resuming flights on the Apia to Pago Pago route at the American Samoa airport.

A statement from the Apia-based airline says scheduled flights to and from American Samoa will commence on Monday Samoa time and Sunday in American Samoa.

Talofa Airways was grounded by the Samoa Civil Aviation Authority following an incident on April 24 with its Turbo Commando aircraft.

The flight from Fagalii to Pago Pago was diverted to Faleolo after the pilot noticed an engine issue.

The brakes overheated and burned after the pilot worked to slow down the engine on landing, according to the airline's CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter.

The Samoa Civil Aviation Authority was conducting an investigation into the incident.

Our correspondent in Pago Pago said efforts to find out its results had so far been unsuccessful.

Talofa Air passengers were accommodated on Samoa Airways or offered refunds.

FAA ON TALOFA AIRWAYS INCIDENT IN SAMOA

Talofa Airways is not required to report to the US Federal Aviation Administration the incident that occurred at Faleolo International Airport in Samoa early last week.

Talofa Airways chief executive officer, Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter told Samoa News last week the aircraft is grounded for “minor repairs from an overheated brake incident we had at Faleolo.”

Although Talofa Airways is a foreign carrier, it has been granted landing rights at Pago Pago International Airport. Since the incident, some local residents have inquired whether the FAA will get involved in the investigation.

“If an incident involves a U.S. certificated airline or a U.S. certificated pilot, the FAA would investigate. If the incident involves a foreign carrier, the FAA would only get involved if the country that certifies the airline asks us to,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said yesterday in response to Samoa News questions.

Asked if Talofa Airways is required to report this type of incident, which occurred at a foreign airport, to the FAA, Gregor responded, “No. Foreign carriers report incidents to their civil aviation authority, not to the FAA.”

Samoa News also asked, "If and when the Talofa Airways aircraft returns to service, does the FAA conduct its own separate inspection of the aircraft to ensure it meets all US aviation safety regulations?"

Gregor responded, “No” and explained that under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols, the civil aviation authority of the country that certifies an airline is responsible for ensuring the aircraft meets all safety standards.

“Foreign carriers have to abide by U.S. regulations — FAR Part 129 — when operating in the U.S,” Gregor said.