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Two squadrons of F-16s grounded after crash
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A F-16 jet fighter is seen in this file photograph (TNI AU via tribunnews.com/-)
T
he Air Force has grounded all aircraft of Squadron 16 and Squadron 12 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force base in Pekanbaru, Riau, after an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet skidded off the base’s runway on Tuesday.
The base’s commander, First Marshal Henri Alfiandi, said the operational suspension would be effective until the Air Force’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee had completed its investigation.
“This is just a standard procedure. The decision when the squadrons can resume operation is in the hands of the Air Force’s national headquarters,” Henri said on Wednesday.
The twin-seater jet fighter veered off the runway on landing and crashed upside down some 200 meters off the end of the runway, which is also shared by Pekanbaru’s Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport.
(Read also: F-16 jet fighter skids off runway in Pekanbaru)
Both pilots, Maj. Andri Setiawan and Sec. Lt. Marco Anderson, were unhurt in the incident, which was reportedly a result of brake malfunction.
According to Henri, the Lockheed Martin-made jet was procured new in 1991.
(Read also: F-16 jet fighter catches fire at Halim Perdanakusuma)
In a previous incident in June 2015 another Air Force F-16 skidded off the runway at the Iswahjudi Air Force base in Madiun, East Java, when its nose gear suddenly retracted after touch down. No injuries were reported.
Two months earlier, another F-16 burst into flames before takeoff at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base in East Jakarta. Pilot Lt. Col. Firman ejected from the plane and was unhurt. (bbs)
