Just refurbished Samoa Airways Twin Otter overshoots runway

By Andrew Curran.

A just refurbished Samoa Airways DHC-6-300 Twin Otter has suffered extensive damage after it continued past the runway threshold at Fitiuta Airport (FTI) in American Samoa on July 28 (local time). The aircraft, 5W-FAY (msn 690), was operating a charter flight from Pago Pago (PPG) to Fitiuta when it ran off the runway.

"At approximately 10.37 am today, Samoa Airways Twin Otter (flight 990) landed on Runway 12 at Fitiuta Airport and subsequently veered off the centre of the runway," a Port Administration of American Samoa media statement reads.

Images of the aircraft circulating online show it wedged in a deep ditch off the end of the runway.

The Government of Samoa, which owns the airline, said the aircraft encountered strong crosswinds during final approach and landing.

"The aircraft had five people on board — two pilots and three passengers, including one Samoa Airways staff member," its statement reads. "All occupants have been accounted for. One passenger sustained a leg injury and is receiving medical treatment."

Samoa Airways Twin Otter travelled past runway threshold

Local residents report that the aircraft travelled well beyond the normal turnaround area at the end of the runway before stopping in the ditch. Video clips available online support this. There is extensive vegetation beyond the end of the runway before the land gives way to cliffs and the ocean.

Samoa Airways has an exemption to US cabotage rules that normally prevent foreign carriers from operating on US domestic sectors. Reports suggest 5W-FAY was operating a charter rather than a scheduled flight.

The Port Administration of American Samoa, which operates Fitiuta Airport, said the airport temporarily closed following the incident but reopened to flights later that day. It said a rescue truck responded immediately to the incident and secured the people on board as well as the aircraft.

"Personnel from the American Samoa Department of Public Safety are on-site assisting with the response," the port administration's statement adds. "The incident remains under investigation and the cause of the runway excursion has not yet been determined."

American Samoa is a United States territory, and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.

Samoa Airways says its pilots should be commended for their professionalism and actions in prioritising the safety of everyone on board.

"The safety and wellbeing of passengers, crew and the communities we serve remain Samoa Airways' highest priority," the airline said. "The circumstances surrounding the incident are being assessed in line with standard aviation safety procedures."

A blow for Samoa Airways

5W-FAY only arrived back in Samoa earlier this month after a multimillion-dollar overhaul in Canada. The 46-year-old aircraft spent the best part of a year out of service while undergoing a structural overhaul and refurbishment that involved, among other things, an engine overhaul, repainting and a cabin refurbishment.

It was one of two Twin Otters sent to Canada for work and represented a major investment by state-owned Samoa Airways. The accident reduces the carrier's operating fleet to two Twin Otters. The airline operates scheduled flights between Apia's two airports, Fagaliʻi (FGI) and Faleolo (APW), and Pago Pago in neighbouring American Samoa, as well as between Pago Pago and Fitiuta and Ofu (OFU) under the cabotage exemption.

Samoa Airways says it will release more information about the accident when it becomes available.

Photo: Samoa Global News

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com