AIC accepts crash probe assignment

The Accident Investigation Commission has accepted an offer to continue the investigation into the crash of an Air Niugini Boeing 737 aircraft off Chuuk airport, Federated States of Micronesia, in September last year.
In a statement, Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase said the request came from FSM’s Department of Transportation secretary Luckner Weilbacher.
“My Government fully supports the PNGAIC accepting this delegated responsibility. The AIC has demonstrated that it is a leader in aircraft accident and serious incident investigation in the Pacific Region,” Manase said.
The statement quoted AIC Chief Commissioner Hubert Namani as saying: “In accepting the delegated responsibility, the AIC will now be responsible for issuing the final report. The AIC team has been, and will continue to work diligently to analyse all evidence and to bring the investigation to a conclusion that will enhance aviation safety.
“The investigation will continue to be independent of State regulators, law enforcement authorities, service providers, and the aviation industry.
“As the agency now responsible for the investigation, the AIC will continue to liaise with the FSM, US National Transportation Safety Board, and Air Niugini Limited, and all other organisations that could assist with evidence to bring about the most comprehensive report to improve aviation safety.”
Namani said the AIC would issue an independent final accident investigation report in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, PNG legislation and the AIC Investigation policy and procedures.
“This marks a major milestone for the PNGAIC.
“It is the second delegated major aircraft accident from a regional neighbour country since July 2018, following the AIC’s acceptance of the responsibility for the Air Vanuatu ATR 72, major aircraft accident that occurred at Port Vila on 28 July 2018,” Manase said.