Passenger plane lands in ocean after overshooting runway
A passenger jet has landed in the ocean after overshooting the runway in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Papua New Guinea authorities confirmed that the Air Niugini flight PX073 ended up in the ocean while trying to land at about 9.30am (local time) in Chuuk.
Local media has reported that the 36 passengers and 11 crew members on board the Boeing 737 are all safe.
Dramatics images provided to Yahoo7 News by first responder Dr James Yaingeluo shows a series of small boats removing passengers from the submerged aircraft.
Witness Bill Davis told Yahoo7 News that all the passengers were evacuated quickly, a few of whom had minor injuries.
The manager at Chuuk International Airport, Jimmy Emilio, said that the Boeing 737 was approaching the runway when it crashed into the lagoon, about 146 metres from the runway.
He said the passengers and crew were at the local hospital undergoing checks, with no serious injuries reported.
It’s understood the flight was scheduled to continue on from Pohnpei Chuuk to Port Moresby.
The PNG Accident Investigation Commission is preparing a team to travel to the site of the accident.
More to come.
No casualties. 35 passengers of #AirNiugini flight to #FSM that crashed into the sea in Chuuk have been evacuated to safety and taken to hospital. The flight was landing. pic.twitter.com/5nTOQZpin8
— makereta komai (@burebasgal) September 28, 2018
