Air Niugini Flight PX073 crashes in lagoon, all passengers survive
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One doesn’t know whether to credit or blame the pilot of the Air Niugini plane which crashed in a lagoon just short of the runway at Chuuk International Airport in Micronesia. Local authorities note the Boeing 737-800 had 47 on board (35 passengers, 12 crew) and all 47 survived, though seven required hospitalization, including one passenger described as in critical, but stable condition.
While the boat settled in water, half-submerged, the crash could have ended much differently had it not been for the small flotilla of boats which immediately made their way to the aircraft. This flotilla included, according to the AP, U.S. Navy sailors, who assisted in the rescue of passengers.
The Air Niugini flight PX 073, according to the BBC, “was flying from the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, stopping at Micronesia’s Weno island”
This crash, no doubt brings back memories of the crash of the U.S. Airways jet on the Hudson River. While also emphasizing why the flight safety briefings are more than just perfunctory, they save lives.
PRESS STATEMENT Bulletin number 1 issued at 12.30pm, date: 28.09.2018 Air Niugini advises that its Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, P2-PXE landed short of the runway whilst landing at Chuuk Island of the Federated States of Micronesia this morning. Air Niugini can confirm that all on board were able to safely evacuate the aircraft. The airline is making all efforts to ensure the safety and immediate needs of our passengers and crew. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Ends…/
Bulletin number 2 issued at 3:00pm, date: 28.09.2018 Air Niugini provides the following update regarding the short landing of its Boeing 737-800 series aircraft at Chuuk International airport, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) this morning. P2-PXE was operating scheduled flight PX 073 between Pohnpei and Chuuk Airport in FSM when the incident occurred. The incident occurred at 10:10am FSM local time. Air Niugini has been informed that the weather was very poor with heavy rain and reduced visibility at the time of incident. The aircraft had 35 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, all of whom were able to safely evacuate the aircraft. Air Niugini is now positioning assistance to Chuuk for our passengers and crew. We are also in touch with the embassies, passenger representatives, stakeholders and families of the crew. We thank everyone in Chuuk for the assistance provided today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew and their families at this time. Following are the media call centre numbers. PNG Media Call Centre: (675) 327 3378/ 327 3221 International Media Call Centre: +1 407 205 1814 Email: [email protected] Ends…//
Bulletin number 3 issued at 6:00pm, date: 28.09.2018 Air Niugini further advises that it has scheduled a special flight for company personnel tomorrow morning including the airline management to provide assistance to passengers and crew on PX 073, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft that landed short at Chuuk International airport runway today. The company doctor will also be on board to assist with treatment of few passengers who had injuries from the incident. The special flight will be available to allow those passengers who wish to complete their trip to Port Moresby and onward to their final destinations. Air Niugini has also arranged hotel accommodation for the other 27 passengers and 12 crew members. We will provide more information as it becomes available. Following are the media call centre numbers. PNG Media Call Centre: (675) 327 3378/ 327 3221 International Media Call Centre: +1 407 205 1814 Email: [email protected] Ends…//
Christopher Burgess is a writer, speaker and commentator on global security issues. He has appeared on CNN, BBC, I24, China News, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, and ABC providing commentary and analysis.
He is a former Senior Security Advisor to Cisco and served 30+ years within the CIA which awarded him the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal upon his retirement. He has lived and traveled abroad for more than 55 years. Christopher co-authored the book, “Secrets Stolen, Fortunes Lost, Preventing Intellectual Property Theft and Economic Espionage in the 21st Century.” He is the founder of Securely Travel.
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