UPDATE - Eagle Air Emergency Landing At Blenheim

Media Release
18 June 2007

Update - Eagle Air Emergency Landing at Blenheim Airport

Eagle Air confirms that passengers are now being assisted to complete their journey and are being provided with specialist support.

NZ 2300 was on a flight from Timaru to Wellington with 15 passengers and two crew on board when it was diverted to Blenheim for an emergency landing following identification of a problem with the landing gear.

The Captain, who is an experienced Eagle Air pilot, performed a wheels-up landing and the aircraft was doused in foam as is standard procedure.

All passengers and crew were safely taken off the aircraft and two of the passengers have been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Eagle Air General Manager Doug Roberts says safety is paramount and non-negotiable for his airline.

"Our pilots undergo some of the most extensive training in the industry and dealing with emergency situations like this is a cornerstone of their training. Our initial assessment is that the crew did an excellent job of executing a 'text book' wheels up landing in the circumstances," Mr Roberts says.

"Our focus is now firmly on assisting our passengers and staff involved in today's event. A special support team has been flown to Blenheim to offer further assistance to those on the flight. At this stage it appears that many of our passengers want to continue on with their journey later today."

Mr Roberts says Eagle Air has already launched an internal investigation into today's event, which will be investigated by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigation."

Eagle Air operates 17 Beech 1900D aircraft and the type is considered to be extremely reliable. All other Eagle Air services will continue as normal today.

ENDS

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