Knife-wielding man attempts to full out wife off plane
The knife wielding man said to be of West New Britain descent, allegedly managed to bypass airport security running onto a restricted area of the terminal with a lethal weapon in hand on Thursday morning last week.
Eye witnesses reported that the disgruntled would be assailant ran toward the aircraft flight PX 241 while passengers were boarding demanding at the top of his voice that his wife (who had been attempting to board) be withheld from departure.
Realizing the possibility of threat to safety of the passengers, the national airliner’s crew asked the man’s wife to stay and the flight departed on schedule.
According to police reports, post-arrest interviews with the felon revealed that he had committed the offence after a family dispute involving his wife had led to her decision to leave.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Simon Foo confirmed the occurrence yesterday adding that the investigation into the breach in Airport security was of the utmost importance to the airliner.
“Our passengers are our priority and their safety is first and foremost.
“The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating how the man was able to access a restricted area of the airport with a weapon.
“It is fortunate that no one was hurt and that the culprit was apprehended soon after the incident,” said Mr Foo.
It was established that apart from the psychological trauma that may have been incurred on passengers and crew, there were no injuries to passengers, crew, aircraft or any ground equipment.
A photograph circulated on social media appeared to show a man holding a machete and running towards the Air Niugini plane.
The man is expected to seat for trial today at a District Court in Kimbe for unlawful conduct and threatening of peace. PNG Today/Post COurier
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