MERGED: Susi Air Caravan accident

[Hasherucf]

Australian pilot on crashed plane in West Papua, Indonesia | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/world/australian-pilot-on-crashed-plane-in-west-papua-indonesia/story-e6frfkyi-1226133500310)


Lets hope the best for these guys

[zappalin]

All my best to the families, sincerely hope they get the news they've been hoping for.

[training wheels]

The local press have named the two pilots onboard that flight; the PIC was Australian and the co-pilot a Slovakian. There were no passengers onboard as they were carrying drums of diesel to a remote location in West Papua (Irian Jaya).

Not a good day for Susi Air as one of their caravans apparently went off the runway in Kupang this afternoon as well. News report (in Bahasa) here (http://regional.kompas.com/read/2011/09/09/14115818/Pesawat.Susi.Air.Tergelincir.di.Kupang).

[lilflyboy262]

Really not good news. Hope everyone is ok. Best wishes to all of those involved.

[Homesick-Angel]

More reports here.
Is it me, or is it not cool to be naming (http://www.theage.com.au/national/fears-for-australian-pilot-after-indonesia-crash-20110910-1k2i9.html) people at this stage?

[davidbrent]

I read about this in some news articles here

Australian feared dead in Indonesian plane crash (http://www.theage.com.au/world/australian-feared-dead-in-indonesian-plane-crash-20110909-1k26y.html)

Antara News : Susi air plane crashes in Papua (http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/75518/susi-air-plane-crashes-in-papua)

So far appears to be vague, anybody have any more information on this accident?

[Homesick-Angel]

Check out the other d and g general aviation, there is a thread running there..

[ad-astra]

Homesick-Angel

Quote

"More reports here. Is it me, or is it not cool to be naming (http://www.theage.com.au/national/fears-for-australian-pilot-after-indonesia-crash-20110910-1k2i9.html) people at this stage?"

Unquote

So you are critical of a publication for naming the pilots involved and yet you mount your own high horse and specifically list the web site and its contents that you specifically attack.

Unbelievable!


YES - YOU are 100% correct!

[davidbrent]

I've heard quite a few things about this airline and its operation, in honesty its not great stuff... quite a few question marks around safety & procedures just from what i have heard...

... It is very sad that this incident has happened, my thoughts go to the families of those involved, but I hope that Susi Air and its staff can move on and learn from this accident, and hopefully not experience another incident like this one.

[knox]

ASN Aircraft accident Cessna 208B Grand Caravan I PK-VVE Tangma, Yahukimo District, Irian Jaya (http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20110909-0)

I've heard through some mates that operate in the area that the out come is not looking too promising. :(

My thoughts are with the family and friends.


Knox.

[Tankengine]

I met the F/O at Keepit last year and actually sent him the Aussie tug job info via pprune before that. He was a fine young pilot, studying BGT in preparation for Susi. Very Sad all around.:sad:

[aseanaero]

I call this area the Wamena Triangle , a lot of accidents there

[justasmallfire]

Just had a little trouble using their radio.
Efforts to reach Indon crash site put off (http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/efforts-to-reach-indon-crash-site-put-off-20110911-1k3rp.html)

[relax.jet]

I know FO for years. He is an excelent and enthusiastic pilot. I hope they have enough luck ... Tomas, I hope we will have another beer together...

[kiwistray]

David Brent - my brother worked for Susi Air as a pilot and I've flown with them too. The rumours about the safety issues are just that, rumours. The staff always put safety first, perhaps things were different in the past but its a very good outfit now. Papua is a perilous place to fly for any pilot (have you tried?), just google some of the strip landings. Downdrafts are a huge issue in the mountains. There can be some admin frustrations with booking etc, but hey - its indo. The airline safety record is good, and this is the first serious incident.

[kevinverdon]

My son flies for Susi and says they have a safety record better than none. caravan is single pilot , susi use 2 for safety. Rumours abound about Susi usually from disgruntled pilots who cannot get in. My son has been flying for them for a year now, and says its one of the most enjoyable experiences he has had.

The only problem appears to be with the Indonesian Aviation authority and the country itself that seems to operate on third world levels when it comes to aviation. Just look at the airports with dogs and livestock running loose, large jets hitting cows on runways etc. This is the domain of the Indonesian Aviation Authority and the airports.

[lilflyboy262]

They dont fly caravans single pilot. Hence why two crew are missing.
They do however operate single crew in my part of the world. And around most the states.

Aviation in third world countries are as safe as you make it. The susi boys and girls are a great bunch of guys and the safety record reflects this.

[KEC]

Totally agree, the reason why Susi Air has such a good safety record is down to the pilots that work for them.

[relax.jet]

Rest in peace my friend :-(((

[training wheels]

Search and recovery team appears to have reached the crash site ...

Rescuers Find Plane Crash Bodies: Police | The Jakarta Globe (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/rescuers-find-plane-crash-bodies-police/464907)

[MartinCh]

Very sad indeed.

I noticed the rotorhead section post mentioning Indo AF looking for the Caravan and crew, but didn't see it in the main R&N section. I haven't realised not seeing Tomas online on FB was for this very reason till now.

Tomas was experienced tuggie, stick and rudder pilot and great glider pilot. It must have been something really nasty happening to them, without 'way out'. He was broke and desperate for any job or experience leading to job with European airlines. Being from average Slovak family, it's hard to break into airlines, especially these days.

Tankengine and me were responsible for him knowing of/securing the Lake Keepit season tuggie job from which he went off to Susi. After the tugging gig, he went home to visit family and then onwards to Indonesia. I can't imagine how it's like for his girlfriend and family.

From the pictures he kept posting, the area and strips were often challenging and it was not feeling right to see the 'fuel drums' being so old and battered, kicked around the tarmac before loaded up on Caravans. I don't know if it's IMC, mountain flying or dangerous cargo related. Probably combination.

EDIT: Kevinverdon - Susi use two crew in SPA because of the Indonesian CAA rules regarding number of pax, not because they decided so. There's small difference.

[aymthemis]

Rest in peace.
All my thoughts goes to the familly.

[caiman27]

Susi Air flew me from Kupang to Atambuha Thursday, the day before their missing flight.

And flew me back 3 days later, two days after their loss and a day after their stop day to recover.

I saw them as a highly professional outfit, operating in sometimes difficult places.

[planebored]

Sorry, Sir, the problem is with the company management handing out envelopes of cash on the runway or in government offices where certain issues are concerned - granted not usually concerning safety - but more of an administrative nature. Susi has friends in media who help her and her baronet husband cover up deficiencies and avoid tax. In the end, it endangers all whether or not the young pilots are a good, well-intended bunch.

[Varig]

Unfortunately, the corruption problem You mentioned has more to do with the highly corrupted indonesians than the airline. I'm sure Susi Air would prefer to do things in the right way, but DGCA and government would create any excuse to give 'em problems if they dont pay the bribe

[msm]

RIP both pilots, very sad to here this. Any idea what the problem may have been?Susi flies G1000 Caravans, very good equipment. Seems to be cause of bad weather but??

Very sad prayers for both families and Susi team.

Some pics Tomas has online

https://picasaweb.google.com/115650305744884205128 :ok: