Emergency Landing at Fua’amotu: Lulutai Airlines Faces Technical Woes
In a dramatic turn of events, Tonga’s sole local airline, Lulutai, was forced to divert its flight to Vava’u and subsequently return to Tongatapu due to hydraulic problems. The incident unfolded as the pilot, preparing to land in Vava’u, detected issues with the aircraft’s hydraulics, prompting a swift decision to return to Tonga for the safety of all on board.
At approximately 2 pm on Thursday afternoon, the Lulutai aircraft executed a safe landing at Fua’amotu domestic airport. However, the situation took a perilous turn as the aircraft, attempting to navigate from the main runway to the taxiway, experienced a landing gear malfunction. The landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to slide sideways and ultimately settle on a cement block on the apron’s side.
Miraculously, all 35 passengers on board emerged unscathed, with no reported injuries or physical harm. The incident has since sparked investigations by Lulutai Airlines and the Civil Aviation Division at the Ministry of Infrastructure to determine the root cause of the technical failures leading to the emergency landing and subsequent mishap on the ground.
This unfortunate event adds to a series of technical challenges that have plagued Lulutai Airlines since its inception. The airline’s operational difficulties have become a source of controversy, particularly given the appointment of the ex-Minister of MEIDECC to the position of CEO. Critics have pointed out the former minister’s apparent lack of expertise in the airline’s commercial and administrative sectors, raising questions about the decision-making processes within the airline. As investigations unfold, concerns about the overall safety and management of Lulutai Airlines persist, drawing attention from both authorities and the public alike.
