Air NZ probe after part of wing falls off

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) — Air New Zealand says it is cooperating with civil aviation authorities in their investigation as to how a piece of one its Boeing 747s fell off on a flight from Auckland to Los Angeles.

Official investigations were being conducted by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after a section of wing flap was found in the Manukau Harbour, near Auckland Airport, on Saturday.

The plane was carrying 355 passengers and 17 crew from Auckland to Los Angeles on Friday night when the flap broke off and plunged into the harbor.

The plane continued on its flight to Los Angeles, where it landed safely.

Chief operating officer Andrew Miller told a news conference that TAIC and CAA would determine the nature, depth and duration of the investigation and that its results would be made public when the authorities considered it appropriate.

“We will cooperate fully with their investigations,” he said.

Air New Zealand shares closed down two cents at NZ$0.58, in part, brokers said, because of publicity about the incidents.

There have been three such incidents involving Air NZ’s Boeing since early last year.

CNN.com Asia
More news