Plane crashes into fence, passengers, pilots safe

An Air Fiji plane yesterday crashed into a fence 45 metres away from the runway in what an eyewitness described as a bizarre accident.

The incident happened at Matei Airport in Taveuni at 2.30pm as the plane was landing.

Matei resident Scott Suit said the plane just went straight for the fence as soon as it landed.

"We can't figure out how it could have crashed into the fence because there wasn't that much wind and the plane should have been taxing away from it," he said.

"Unless there was a brake problem, then we really don't know how it could have crashed into the fence."

Police spokesman Acting Assistant Superintendent Kolinio Vunaki said theplane, which came from Savusavu, stopped at the fence, which was 45 metres away from the tarmac and five metres from the main road.

"At the moment experts from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Fiji Islands are inspecting the site and all passengers are safe," he said.

"It is suspected to be a problem with the brake but we will leave that to the experts to decide."

Air Fiji spokeswoman Shanez Voss confirmed the incident, which happened after landing.

She said all 12 passengers and two pilots escaped unharmed.

"At the moment the CAAFI and Air Fiji are conducting an investigation and as soon as that is completed we will release a statement," she said.

Fonte: Fiji Times - 09/11/2004