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Garuda landed too fast: Report
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 04/12/2007 3:17 PM
Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Garuda Indonesia jetliner that careened off at the end of the runway and burst at Yogyakarta airport on March 7, killing 21 people, landed at an abnormal speed on a steep diving angle, official said Wednesday.
""According to the data from the field, the airplane reached the runway beyond normal procedure, which is about 130 knots in speed and a flap position of 40 degrees,"" said National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT) chairman Tatang Kurniadi.
He said at a press conference here that testimonial from eyewitnesses, such as air traffic control personnel and a pilot from the Indonesian Air Force, and information from the aircraft's black boxes, supported the claim.
The preliminary investigation is yet to reveal the cause behind the accident, however.
""We have to further investigate and verify the numerical data before we reach a final analysis,"" said lead investigator Mardjono Siswo Suwarno, adding that they would have to finish the draft final report in sixty days.
""We'll release the final report within two months of the final draft.""
The investigation also found that Garuda had not installed the correct black box in the aircraft.
""The flight data recorder inside the jet was not suited for that model aircraft, so glide, angle and engine data were not recorded,"" Tatang said, adding that this should be a lesson for all operators.
KNKT also said that the rescue personnel at Adi Sucipto Airport were unprepared for an emergency landing situation.
""The rescue personnel did not handle the victims well outside the perimeter of the airport. This shows that emergency training was not effective,"" Tatang said.
Mardjono, who went to Seattle to get the information from the black boxes, said that the commission would not try to blame the accident on any people involved.
""This is a technical investigation. An argument between the pilot and co-pilot before landing, as reported by many media, did not happen,"" he said.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Convention, the findings of the report should not be used to bring charges against anyone.
Tatang added that unofficial reports of the causes behind the crash needed to confirmed before reaching any conclusion.
The KNKT recommended that both airport management and operators needed to effect substantial improvements in order to prevent further catastrophes.
Airports need to have fully equipped rescue instruments, review its airport emergency plan and apply real-time emergency training for its personnel, the commission said.
""We suggest airlines implement Approach and Landing Accident Reduction and Flight Operation Quality Assurance programs,"" Tatang said, adding that an assessment of airline key personnel should be done by an independent auditor.
At a different press conference, Garuda management denied that they had installed the wrong black box and blamed the technical failure on the manufacturer.
The KNKT also pointed to the fact that Adi Sucipto's runway end safety area is 115 meters long, 125 meters short of the recommended length stipulated in the ICAO Convention.
