Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Minister Viliame Gavoka informed Parliament this morning that a comprehensive investigation was underway to determine the exact cause of the overrun of a Northern Air aircraft at Gau airport on July 23.

He said the findings “will inform any necessary corrective actions and enhancements to our aviation safety protocols.”

Mr Gavoka said on July 23, the Britten-Norman Islander overran its designated landing area and collided with a rock mound at the end of the runway.

“Despite the significant damage to the aircraft, I am glad to report that the two crew members and three passengers on board were swiftly and safely evacuated without any injuries by airport personnel,” he informed the House.

“This outcome is a testament to the rigorous emergency response procedures and the exemplary professionalism of our aviation personnel.”

Mr Gavoka said he wanted to assure the House and the people of Fiji that “aviation safety is a paramount concern for this Government.”

“Fiji is a signatory to the Chicago Convention and is bound by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. These standards are the bedrock of our national aviation regulations, ensuring that all aircraft, operators, and personnel meet stringent safety requirements.”

Mr Gavoka said in line with the Civil Aviation (Occurrence Reporting and Investigation) Regulation 2009, Captain Norman Walding, a Senior Flight Operations Inspector with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, has been appointed as the Aircraft Accident Investigator.

He said Capt Walding has been involved in the aviation industry for five decades and has spent over fifteen years at CAAF, regulating the domestic aviation industry during which time he had been engaged to conduct several investigations in the past.