Pacific Blue cleared in gate investigation

The Civil Aviation Authority is satisfied with Pacific Blue's response to an incident, in which one of its planes swung away from a boarding gate at Wellington Airport as passengers disembarked.

Pacific Blue notified the CAA shortly after the incident in June, and had conducted its own investigation as required, said CAA spokesman Bill Sommer.

"We're satisfied that they've determined what the cause was, and they've put procedures in place to ensure that it won't happen again."

The CAA will not investigate further, Mr Sommer said.

A wind gust caught the aircraft's tail as passengers got off, swinging the Boeing 737-800 about 1m.

When operating in wind stronger than 30 knots, Pacific Blue will put chocks under the main wheels and apply a parking break as a backup, he said.

"In New Zealand occurrences, this is the first occasion we've had this reported to us."

Add a Comment