Munda hit

AN earth tremor that hit parts of Western Province early this week damaged Munda Airport runway and left an international jet stranded there.

Controller of Civil Aviation Ben Kere said one of his staff was sent there to assess the damage.Reports from Munda said the quake caused a major crack on the western end of the runway, which is now sealed off.The damages prevented a private overseas jet that landed there hours earlier from leaving.The plane is still there.Gibson Ngumi from the Civil Aviation office in Munda said the earth tremor shook Munda at about 7pm Monday.Mr Ngumi said quake caused a major crack to the runway.“It’s just fortunate that no plane was landing or taking off that time. It could have been a major disaster if that happens,” Mr Ngumi added.He said crack, which is about one and half a metre deep, was located 400 metres from the western end of the runway.“It is located right in the landing zone where aircrafts normally land,” he said.Despite the damage, Mr Ngumi said Solomon Airlines aircrafts could still land at Munday.He said the runway is about 1600 metres long. Following the damage less than half of the runway is being closed.Mr Ngumi said the stranded jet needs about 1500 metres of runway to take off.“Because of the problem the jet will have to wait until repair work is done,” he said. But local air service, he said, will continue.“Solomon Airlines flights to Munda continue this week. They can still land and take off within the usable runway space,” Mr Ngumi said.He said repair work, which involves refilling the crack, is already underway.

SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR