Updated 9th October 2018 with new information regarding the passenger.

Following the news that everybody had survived the Air Niugini accident on Friday we, unfortunately, have to report that contrary to initial reports one passenger is still unaccounted for. The Air Niugini Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Papua New Guinea's flag carrier ended up in 100ft deep water after overshooting the runway it was attempting to land on in Chuuk.

The airliner survived the incident relatively intact. Following many local fishing boats attending the scene, in addition to a US Coast Guard ship, it was thought that everybody had survived. People were likening the incident to the miracle in the Hudson, in which Captain Chesley Sullenberger safely landed an A320 in the Hudson River in New York. Interestingly, this is the second B737 so overrun a runway in September, following the Utair incident at the start of the month.

Air Niugini Accident
U.S. Sailors assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 assist local authorities in rescuing the passengers and crew of Air Niugini flight PX56 to shore following the plane ditching into the sea on its approach to Chuuk International Airport in the Federated States of Micronesia, Sept. 28, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Zach Niezgodski)

What Happened?

Following a relatively uneventful flight from Pohnpei to Port Moresby via Chuuk, an Air Niugini B737 overshot the runway at Chuuk, resulting in the aircraft coming to rest in the water at the end of the runway. Local fishing boats were quick to offer aid and assistance, and initial reports stated that all crew and passengers had been safely evacuated, despite a number suffering reasonably severe injuries. The airline has since said that all of the injured passengers are in a stable condition.

The chairman of Air Niugini, Sir Kostas Constantinou, told the press that since the passenger was identified as missing the wreck has been searched by navy seal divers attending the incident. The inspection of the cabin revealed that nobody was trapped onboard. It is hopeful that the missing passenger has just got lost in the chaos following the incident.

Air Niugini Accident
The aircraft involved in the incident, seen here at Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Andrew Thomas

Air Niugini Statement

Announcing the saddening news, the airline released the following statement online regarding the incident:

“As of 12:30 pm today, we are unable to account for a single male passenger and are working with the local authorities, hospitals and investigators to locate this passenger who was aboard our flight PX 073. Initial on scene reports had indicated that all passengers and crew had been safely evacuated from the aircraft. The airline confirms that all other passengers and crew have been accounted for.

Air Niugini Accident
The location of Chuuk in the Pacific Ocean.

We are presently working with the embassy and the passenger’s travel facilitator to contact his family, as well as continuing to work with on ground responders to locate this man. Locating him, as well as providing ongoing support to the other passengers, crew and families is and remains our primary concern. [Air Niugini] will provide updates as they are available.

We are also in the process of transferring the passengers and crew from PX 073 to Port Moresby, whilst six passengers remain hospitalized in Micronesia. We are pleased that we have been advised that all passengers in the hospital are in stable condition.”

While we wait to see if the aircraft can be saved from the lagoon, we hope that the missing passenger is located swiftly.

Update 9th October 2018:

The Aviation Safety Network reports that unfortunately the missing passenger's body was located shortly after this article was published.