The PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) is probing a mercury spill from a package aboard an Air Niugini aircraft at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby last month.
AIC Chief Commissioner Maryanne Wal said the incident took place inside the cargo compartment of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on 23 July.
She said the aircraft had been grounded.
She said report of the spill was brought to AIC’s attention on Thursday, 16 days after the incident.
An Air Niugini advisory to AIC stated that “on the day of the occurrence, as cargo handlers were loading P2-PXB for flight PX 102 to Lae’s Nadzab, they noticed fluids leaking from one of the packages”.
Air Niugini ground staff checked and reported the presence of mercury.
“The package had an office 3-in-1 printer with seven 330ml containers filled with mercury concealed inside,” Wal said in a statement on Friday.
Wal said the flight was cancelled, and all passengers and crew disembarked.
“The United Nations classifies mercury as a Class 8, corrosive substance.
“Mercury poses significant risk to aircraft metal structures which are made of aluminium.
“It is also recognised as a Class 6.1 toxic substance and will cause severe health complications if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin,” Wal said. She said based on the AIC’s assessment, the occurrence was considered to have posed significant risk to passengers, crew, and the baggage handlers.