Full alert for suspected leak

Press, 22 January 1988, Page 5

Full alert for suspected leak

Emergency services turned out in full last evening, for a United States Naval Support Force Antarctica Hercules which had to turn back to Christchurch with a suspected fuel leak. The problem was noticed soon after the aircraft, with 46 people aboard, took off for Antarctica at 5.17 p.m. The pilot decided to turn back, and dumped excess fuel over the sea to bring down its landing weight. Emergency services stood by for the landing, the airport’s four crash fire tenders augmented by

13 New Zealand Fire Service appliances. The police and St John ambulances also stood by, while Ministry of Transport officers were stationed at intersections on the route into the hospital, to clear the way if necessary. The landing, at 6.45 p.m., was, however, uneventful. A United States Naval Support Force spokeswoman said later that the problem was checked out, and no fuel leak was found. The plane later resumed its flight to the Ice. .