The United States National Transportation Safety Board has released a Samoa Airways aircraft from its investigative hold following a runway excursion at Fitiuta Airport in the Manu‘a Islands.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, and involved Samoa Airways Twin Otter aircraft 5W-FAY operating as Flight 990.
The Port Administration of American Samoa said the NTSB had completed its initial assessment of the aircraft, allowing local authorities and Samoa Airways to begin planning its removal and recovery.
The Port Administration will continue its own investigation into the runway excursion and will coordinate with Samoa Airways on the next steps.
A Samoa Airways engineer was sent to Fitiuta to inspect the aircraft, which remained secured along with the immediate surrounding area while recovery arrangements were being finalised.
Despite the incident, the runway remained open and normal flight operations continued. Two Samoa Airways flights operated through Fitiuta on Wednesday, although a flight advisory remained in effect while the recovery work was coordinated.
The Port Administration said a charter flight had been arranged for Thursday, 30 July, to transport Director Barney Sene and members of the airport investigation team to Fitiuta.
The team was expected to assess the incident site, coordinate recovery operations with Samoa Airways and oversee the safe restoration of the affected area.
PAAS Press Release
