Flight to Samoa turns back

Photo / Martin Sykes

An Air New Zealand flight bound for Samoa was diverted back to Auckland on Saturday night after the pilot discovered a mechanical fault.

And passengers got an extra dose of drama after the plane had landed as police boarded to escort a man from the aircraft.

The Boeing 767-300 left Auckland International Airport for Apia just after 8.45pm.

About an hour into the flight, the pilot told passengers he was turning around and heading back to Auckland because of a mechanical fault that could not be resolved in Apia.

Air New Zealand arranged accommodation in a hotel near the airport until the flight could depart again.

Spokeswoman Tracey Mills said last night the pilot made the decision to return to Auckland after he "observed an indication light".

She would not be drawn on what fault the light indicated. Ms Mills also refused to comment on why the police removed the male passenger, other than to say there was no "incident".

The Herald has learned the man was being removed from New Zealand because of an immigration matter. Police attended as a matter of procedure when he was brought back to Auckland after his removal.

A spokesman for the Counties Manukau police said it was "not unusual" for officers to escort such people off planes, or "take them off" after an incident on board.

The flight to Apia was rescheduled and departed on time yesterday.