A Cessna 172 aircraft is overdue after failing to report to Labasa Airport at around 12.15pm today.   A statement from Airport Fiji Limited said they have alerted the Fiji Rescue Coordination Centre ( Navy) and the Police.    “Authorities will provide further updates as more information comes to hand,” the statement said. The Volunteer First Responder Fiji tweeted the following.

#SAR RRVs and combined Air Rescue squad now preparing for SAR operation awaiting aircraft rendezvous #Fiji #TeamFiji pic.twitter.com/UXehbvJ83t — Volunteer First Responder (FIJI) (@VFRfiji) February 26, 2018

It is understood that the aircraft belongs to Pacific Flying School and was bound for Savusavu from Labasa. On board were an instructor and a student pilot. We will keep you posted as this story unfolds.

  17. 17pm A rapid response SAR team of @VFRfiji Rescue Medics, @fijipoliceforce PSRU and @fmsrcc Navy SAR on standby for deployment. Coordination with RCC Fiji and Min. Defence for tasking #Fiji#TeamFijipic.twitter.com/v6snNju2OF — Volunteer First Responder (FIJI) (@VFRfiji) February 26, 2018

A rapid response SAR team. Photo: Volunteer First Responder (FIJI)

18.00pm 

Search party at Navakuru was called off because of challenging weather conditions.

20.10pm

Seach party at Doguru was also called off because of heavy rain and fog.

@fmsrcc has assumed RCC FIJI operations earlier this afternoon for SAROPS re the missing aircraft in Vanua Levu. In communication with @fijipoliceforce & AFL, additional planning taking place tonight. Weather permitting, SAR flight for early departure out of Suva #Fiji#TeamFijipic.twitter.com/v7SCy1gSpk

— FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) February 26, 2018

#SAR (Vanua Levu) A SAR medic team is preparing tonight for departure at first light, weather permitting. Search patterns being coordinated from RCC FIJI @fmsrcc. A lot of effort and resources being dedicated to the search for missing aircraft with 2pob #Fiji#TeamFijipic.twitter.com/LmpRZajXnt

— Volunteer First Responder (FIJI) (@VFRfiji) February 26, 2018

21.20pm

Pacific Flying School has confirmed that their aircraft DQ-FTR used for Pilot training had not made contact was under the command of Pacific Flying Instructor, Iliesa Tawalo who was overseeing training for two students.

“One student got off in Labasa and Mr Tawalo and the remaining student continued their training to Savusavu.  The intention was to land in Savusavu but apparently, the weather was not conducive for the aircraft to land and they decided to try to get to Labasa.  That was the last communication between the aircraft the AFL Tower,” the statement said.

The family of the Instructor and the student were informed of the missing aircraft earlier this afternoon.

Should anyone have any news or sightings of the aircraft please call Mr Hilton or PFS School Manager, Betty Katarine on 9994520.

Meanwhile, a rescue team is on standby for deployment at first light tomorrow.

Former Pacific Flying School student, Josua Cavalevu tweeted the following:

A sad day for Aviation in Fiji today! Missing aircraft isn’t something that I like hearing about as an aviation safety advocate! To hear it happen here in my home country and my former flying school, devastates me! My thoughts and prayers are with them tonight #PFS #TeamFiji

— Pacific Aviator (@JCavalevu) February 26, 2018

 

Please pray for my mate who’s missing in a cessna 172 somewhere between Labasa and Savusavu with his trainee pilot #missingplanefiji #mytau — Heavenly Flower (@lanireef) February 26, 2018

#Teamfiji please take a minute to send out prayers/positive thoughts/good vibes for search and rescue efforts by @fmsrcc @VFRfiji @fijipoliceforce 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/W0ZzQx9sIU

— Vika Waradi (@VikaWaradi) February 26, 2018