Those MDL 732s often fly out of MES at or near MTOW... any "extra weight" could result in catastrophe...
"Those guys slap on extra cargo, not tell the pilot and now they're getting burnt flesh at the end of 05... Hmm, enjoy the kickback $$ in hell! But why should I be the burnt flesh at the end of 05 if I can just take off 500kgs off the aircraft and slap that weight on as something else..." (someone from Mandala complaining on MES)
PK-RIM's brakes known to be a bit iffy comparing to others in the fleet. However, this may not be the crucial factor.
I guess we'll have to wait and see what the investigations find...
Pictures from the runway end safety area:
Sad day... This could be the end for Mandala, already struggling to survive in the brutally overly competitive market in Indonesia dominated by "seat traders" not airlines!
The governor of North Sumatra and the former governor is amongst the victims. God knows how many on the ground was killed. Saw at least a couple of charred ground victims on TV...
Not all pax are killed. 8 are still in hospital (last count)... 1 escaped with bruises only, 1 with broken bones and bruises. 3 are known to have stabilised and is now back in critical stage... the other 3 I dunno... Glued to the news at the moment.
88 bodies in the morgue so far, incl 6 ground victims.
PK-KAR
Mandala499