Transcript
ALFRED MANASE: Under the protocols what has happened is that FSM has now taken charge of the investigation, and they have delegated the function of decoding the recorders to the PNG Accident Investigation Commission. But they're still in charge of the investigation, being the state of occurrence of the accident.
JOHNNY BLADES: And so they will work together to analyse the black box and the recorders?
AM: yeah, what will happen is that because we've got the lab here in Port Moresby that do all those things, so they will bring the black box across, and then for our technicians here to decode it all up and see what happens. And also, it's part of the training for some of the investigators to be participating in the process as well.
JB: Of course PNG sent a team over to Micronesia on Sunday, didn't they, the Accident Investigation Commission team went to Chuuk?
AM: Yes, we've got two investigators on the ground already who have been requested by the Minister, and my colleague in the FSM has requested our assistance and I've already granted the approval for the investigators, the AIC, to be involved. They are already there in FSM.
JB: Do you have any idea how long the investigation might take?
AM: Under the requirement, we have to have the final report out within twelve months. So as soon as all the investigations are done, probably a preliminary report will be established as soon as those investigations are all complete.
JB: It's such a strong incident. And without wanting to pre-empt the investigation, people are wondering why wouldn't the pilot have just pulled away if he couldn't see the runway properly, and come back, circled around?
AM: Very good question. I have no answer for it, until the investigation's complete.
