AFP

The Air Force-operated Hercules C-130 cargo aircraft that crashed into a housing area in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, developed engine trouble when taking off from Soewondo Airbase, according to a preliminary investigation.

Air Force chief Air Chief Marshall Agus Supriatna said that when taking off, one of the turboprop aircraft'€™s right engines malfunctioned, which was shown by the fact that the aircraft flew to the right at a low altitude.

'€œWhen the aircraft had an engine malfunction, its rate of climb showed a low altitude, meaning that it was developing engine trouble. At that time the pilot asked to return to the airbase,'€ Agus said in an interview with Kompas TV in Jakarta on Thursday.

Agus said that after flying for one minute, the aircraft hit a 100-meter high antenna.

'€œThe aircraft hit an antenna. Of the seven antennae located in lines at the tip of the airport'€™s runway, only two still remain there. The wrecks of antennae were found on the roofs of houses at the crash site. Such high antennae should not be allowed in areas near to the runway,'€ he said.

Agus previously denied that the aircraft was overloaded because its capacity was 135 tons. But according to the website of Lockheed, which produces Hercules planes, the Hercules C-130 Type B aircraft has a transportation capacity of 19 tons.

The aircraft was said to be carrying 122 passengers, including 12 crew, goods and ammunition. All passengers were confirmed dead. Eight inhabitants of houses damaged by the aircraft were also killed.

The Air Force has announced it will take responsibility for the civilian victims and their assets damaged in the accident. (rms)(+++)

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