PNG Air ATR72 bursts tyres during aborted take-off
By Andrew Curran.
Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation (NAC) has temporarily closed Goroka Airport (GKA) after a PNG Air ATR72-600 burst two tyres during an aborted take-off yesterday, May 25, and subsequently blocked the runway.
The aircraft, P2-ATB (msn 1317), was undertaking its take-off roll when a flock of birds crossed the runway. The pilots rejected the take-off while travelling at approximately 70 knots and applied maximum braking. As a result, two tyres on the left main landing gear burst.
There were no injuries reported among the 32 passengers and crew onboard.
“The Goroka Airport Emergency Response Team immediately implemented emergency procedures and safely evacuated all passengers, crew, and cargo to the terminal,” the National Airports Corporation said in a statement posted online.
“A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued at 10:59am to close the runway while PNG Air, working in collaboration with the Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) and NAC, carries out inspections and clears the aircraft to be towed off the runway.”
PNG Air targets swift return to service for ATR72
Late yesterday, PNG Air said it was dispatching a recovery team to Goroka to begin recovery operations. The airline hopes to return the aircraft to service by mid-morning today, May 26.
At the time of publication, P2-ATB remained on the ground at Goroka and the airport remained closed.
Papua New Guinea’s Accident Investigation Commission will open an investigation into the incident.
In a statement, PNG Air said the pilot in command acted in compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority procedures, mitigating the risk of bird ingestion into the engines, which could have caused significant damage or an in-flight shutdown.
“The pilot in command’s decision reflects PNG Air’s commitment to operational discipline and the paramount importance of passenger and crew safety,” the airline’s statement said.
“PNG Air maintains robust and recurrent training programmes for its flight crews, consistent with CASA requirements. The crew’s effective response in Goroka demonstrates the strength of these programmes and PNG Air’s ongoing commitment to safety and operational excellence.”
P2-ATB is a 10-year-old aircraft, having been delivered to PNG Air in April 2016. It is leased from DAE Capital. Open-source databases indicate the aircraft has not previously been involved in any significant incidents.
Both PNG Air and Air Niugini operate scheduled passenger flights between Goroka and Port Moresby (POM).
Photo: National Airport Corporation.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com