Y-12 aircraft tyre blows out on Kaufana runway [1]
Monday, September 20, 2021 - 17:50. Updated on Monday, September 20, 2021 - 18:51.
By Pesi Fonua
The Y-12 aircraft of the Lulutai Airlines Ltd. blew out a tyre when it landed at the Kaufana Airport, ‘Eua on Friday morning, 17 September, with 12 passengers including the Minister of Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, the 'Eua People's Representative to the Tongan Parliament.
A spokesperson at the Kaufana Airport said that the Y-12 aircraft landed and the 12 passengers with two pilots disembarked safely.
Another source, who provided a photo, told Matangi Tonga that when the plane landed, the brake locked and it dragged the wheel and punctured the tyre.
However, a replacement tyre was forwarded to 'Eua, and the Y-12 flew back to Tongatapu around midday.
Meanwhile, the CEO at the Lulutai Airline office today was unavailable to comment on what had happened to the Y-12 last Friday morning.
The government-owned, operated and certified Lulutai Airlines Ltd. has provided the domestic service for Tonga for less than a year.
The Lulutai's first Air Operator Certificate [2] was issued by the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure on 23 September 2020. It was presented to the Prime Minister, Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa by the former Minister of Infrastructure 'Akosita Lavulavu, who was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Lulutai Airlines Ltd.