Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 13 September 1994
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-3Q8
Owner/operator: Polynesian Airlines
Registration Number: 5W-ILF
Location: Faleolo International Airport, Upolu –
ÿ Samoa
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Minor
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 73
Component Affected: Starboard main undercarriageStarboard main undercarriage
Category: Accident
An aviation incident occurred when a stowaway on a flight between Tonga and Samoa discovered and jammed the starboard main undercarriage of an aircraft, leading to an emergency landing at Faleolo. The aircraft sustained minimal damage and all passengers and crew were unharmed.An aviation incident occurred when a stowaway on a flight between Tonga and Samoa discovered and jammed the starboard main undercarriage of an aircraft, leading to an emergency landing at Faleolo. The aircraft sustained minimal damage and all passengers and crew were unharmed.
Description
Operating flight PH844 between Tonga and Samoa, on approach to Faleolo the crew realised the starboard main undercarriage would not lower. On inspection, the body of a young male stow away was found to be jamming the starboard undercarriage. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Faleolo using only the nosewheel and port umdercarriage. There was minimal damage to the aircraft, and all 72 passengers and crew were unhurt in the incident. Police later recovered the body of the dead stow away.
Source of Information
https://taic.org.nz/inquiries?SkinSrc=[G]skins%2ftaicAviation%2fskin_aviation, https://trove.nla.govt.au/newspapers/article/118137875/13361139https://taic.org.nz/inquiries?SkinSrc=[G]skins%2ftaicAviation%2fskin_aviation, https://trove.nla.govt.au/newspapers/article/118137875/13361139Primary Cause
Stowaway interference with aircraft equipment.Stowaway interference with aircraft equipment.Share on:
