Real Tonga suspends pilot [1]
Monday, May 5, 2014 - 19:22
The pilot of a Real Tonga Queen Air that made an emergency belly-landing at the ‘Eua airstrip last week has been suspended.
In a statement today, Real Tonga airlines said, “After consultation with the Civil Aviation Department, the operating captain has been stood down from duty pending the completion of a full investigation of the incident.”
The small aircraft was on a scheduled service between Tongatapu and ‘Eua, on 30 April when the pilot “was required to affect a belly landing, according to the airlines’ documented standard operating procedures.”
However, Real Tonga stated that the reason for the emergency procedure had yet to be determined. The aircraft had been secured in ‘Eua, awaiting a full investigation by Civil Aviation authorities.
The statement which did not name the pilot, also said that the airline was in the process of recruiting more pilots.
Real Tonga said that the senior managers from the airline had visited all passengers that were onboard the aircraft and who had suffered no injuries in the emergency landing.
“The passengers have all commended the professionalism of the pilot in charge.”
Real Tonga are organizing an additional aircraft to support its existing fleet and expected that the replacement may be available in Tonga as early as next week.
Airline operations were continuing, with some changes to the published schedules until a replacement aircraft was brought into operation.