Garuda jet travelling too fast when crashed

The Straits Times, April 7, 2007


SYDNEY - An Indonesian Garuda jet which crashed at Yogyakarta airport in March killing 21 people was travelling at nearly double the normal landing speed according to an official investigation, Australian media reported.

An Indonesian investigation into the crash found the aircraft was travelling at 410 kmh when it hit the tarmac, bounced and skidded off the runway, bursting into flames, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said on Saturday.

The Herald said it had obtained a copy of a preliminary crash report by Indonesia's Transport Safety Committee which ruled out mechanical fault and said investigators were focusing on pilot error as the weather at the time was calm.

Aviation experts confirmed that speed and flap warnings would have sounded in the cockpit and the pilot should have aborted the landing, according to the newspaper, which said it had a copy of the confidential report, prepared by Indonesia's Transport Safety Committee.

The aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR) indicated that 'it was making the landing approach at a faster than normal speed and the flaps were not configured for landing', the newspaper said, quoting from the report.

'The FDR, and evidence at the accident site, has not indicated any mechanical deficiency with the aircraft,' said the report.

Chief investigator Tatang Kurniadi confirmed that the airliner was flying too fast when it landed, Australian Broadcasting Corp radio reported on Saturday.

Australia's Nine Network reported this past week that Mr Kurniadi said the pilot and co-pilot had been arguing moments before the crash.

The newspaper said the report found no evidence of the pilots arguing.

Cockpit data recordings showed no mechanical problems before the landing. The report said the weather was calm, contradicting the pilot's reported claim of a powerful down draft.

The report said that Yogyakarta airport did not meet international safety standards and that its runway was only a quarter of the recommended length. It said airport fire engines and rescue teams were unable to reach the crash site quickly which may have contributed to the death toll.

The Sydney Morning Herald also claimed that Indonesian authorities were trying to suppress the report which could be damaging to its aviation security reputation, going so far as to put pressure on Australia to threaten families of the victims with prison if they leak the report.

'The Indonesian Transport Minister, Hatta Radjasa, has tried to block the release of the 'preliminary factual aircraft accident report', insisting that Australian authorities should threaten the families of the five Australian victims with up to two years' jail if they disseminate it,' the paper said.

The crash killed 21 people, while 119 others were able to escape through the exits of the burning jet.

The Herald said the preliminary report contained all the technical details of the crash but made no final analysis. -- REUTERS, AP, AFP