Mandala a/c crashes at Medan
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A local resident posted following message on our flight simulation forum:
"all of the survivors sat in row 20.
witness on the ground said that he saw the plane lift off just a few feet above runway but failed to continue climb. apparently the aircraft went into stall with nose pitching up high. aircraft hit ils localizer at the end of the runway, then airport perimeter fence before smashed into residential area.
rumors spread that the aircraft probably overwighted, because it's common practice in medan that the loadmaster often load the aircraft beyond mtow and fake the report to pilots. but this time, it was probably too much overweight. "
While this report is to be viewed with some caution (third hand or even more in between the chain), the observation looks very conclusive and precise possibly describing a CG problem, not the usual witness babble.
Simon
"all of the survivors sat in row 20.
witness on the ground said that he saw the plane lift off just a few feet above runway but failed to continue climb. apparently the aircraft went into stall with nose pitching up high. aircraft hit ils localizer at the end of the runway, then airport perimeter fence before smashed into residential area.
rumors spread that the aircraft probably overwighted, because it's common practice in medan that the loadmaster often load the aircraft beyond mtow and fake the report to pilots. but this time, it was probably too much overweight. "
While this report is to be viewed with some caution (third hand or even more in between the chain), the observation looks very conclusive and precise possibly describing a CG problem, not the usual witness babble.
Simon
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<<Latest TV news said that the plane may have hit power cables before the. Don't know if this is due to a slow climb......>>
If my memories donīt fail me, a GARUDA DC-9 crashed in 1987 on a approach to Medan.
While being on final approach in very bad weather, the a/c hit power lines (or a TV antenna, according to other reports) and crashed near the airport. Arround 20 dead.
With reagards,
Stubenfliege2
If my memories donīt fail me, a GARUDA DC-9 crashed in 1987 on a approach to Medan.
While being on final approach in very bad weather, the a/c hit power lines (or a TV antenna, according to other reports) and crashed near the airport. Arround 20 dead.
With reagards,
Stubenfliege2
Paxing All Over The World
It is not unknown for some countries to load an a/c until all of the available cargo VOLUME is used, rather than all of the available cargo WEIGHT. Let us hope that is not the cause here as it is difficult to prove when the fire has taken the evidence. Any false documentation (held on the ground) would not have lasted very long either ...
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I have taken domestic flights on a remote locations in Indonesia route a couple of times. It is a 24 seater old turbo prop (probably >30 years old). Not only is the cargo space fully filled.... They even put cargos on the corridor!
The hand carry is suppose to be 5kg. When our group "wegithed in", we just pay some money to the ground staff and we can take as much hand carry as we want!
The hand carry is suppose to be 5kg. When our group "wegithed in", we just pay some money to the ground staff and we can take as much hand carry as we want!
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Here's an updated story from Reuters, listing 47 dead on the ground.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...DONESIA-DC.XML
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...DONESIA-DC.XML
Indonesia Jet Crash Kills at Least 147
By IRWAN FIRDAUS, Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago
An Indonesian jetliner slammed into a crowded neighborhood moments after a shaky takeoff Monday and burst into flames, killing 147 people, including dozens on the ground. At least 15 passengers survived, among them an 18-month-old boy, officials said.
The Mandala Airlines Boeing 737-200 was heading to Jakarta in overcast weather when it plowed into a row of houses 500 yards from the airport and skidded onto a busy road in this city on northeast Sumatra island. Witnesses said some people were on fire as they fled the wreckage.
Firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, which engulfed dozens of houses and at least 10 cars, in a midmorning rainstorm. It was the sixth major jet crash worldwide since Aug. 1.
The plane was carrying 116 passengers and crew, airline spokesman Alex Widjojo said. There were differing accounts on the number of survivors.
Airline spokeswoman Nining, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said 16 people survived, including an 18-month-old boy and his mother.
Medan police chief Col. Irawan Dahlan said there were 15 survivors from the plane.
Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa was quoted by the private Detik.com news Web site as saying 47 people on the ground were killed.
City hospitals also were treating at least a dozen residents, officials said.
Many of the flight's survivors were sitting in the back of the plane, passenger Rohadi Sitepu said.
"The plane was taking off, but suddenly there was a strong tremor and it jerked to the left and crashed," he told Metro TV from his hospital bed. "There was fire everywhere, from the front of the plane to the back."
Witnesses said the plane started shaking violently when it reached an altitude of about 100 yards before banking to the left and plunging to the ground.
"I saw at least 20 people running around with their clothes alight," said Awi, a shop owner. "They were shrieking in agony and shouting, 'Help! Help!'"
The cause of the crash was under investigation, but foul play was highly unlikely, said airline managing director Asril Tanjung.
Hundreds of policemen, paramedics and residents tried to evacuate victims, but flames and thousands of onlookers hampered efforts, said Syahrial Anas, a doctor overseeing the removal of charred bodies.
"We're having a hard time getting to the bodies because of the heat," Anas told The Associated Press.
Monday's crash follows five major airline accidents in August, the deadliest month for plane disasters since May 2002. Some 334 people died last month in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and Tunisia. A plane also overshot a Toronto runway and caught fire, but no one died.
At the Jakarta airport, dozens of relatives and friends of the victims cried upon hearing the news.
"I am waiting for my mother but Mandala just said that the plane crashed and she was on board," said Aryati, weeping as she spoke. "Her name has appeared on a list of victims on TV."
The dead included the governor of North Sumatra province, who was heading to the capital to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Medan, the country's third-largest city, has been a major staging point for tsunami relief operations in Aceh province, on the northern tip of Sumatra island. The international airport is close to the center of town and is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods.
Mandala Airlines is a Jakarta-based domestic carrier founded in 1969 by a military-run foundation. Its 15-plane fleet consists mainly of 1970s-vintage Boeing 737-200 jets. In recent years, the financially troubled airline has been forced to cut services and fares to remain competitive.
The plane was nearly 25 years old and received its last comprehensive service in June, Mandala said. It had flown more than 50,000 hours and was due to be retired in 2016.
Indonesia's last jetliner crash occurred in February 2005, when 26 people died after a plane operated by low-cost carrier Lion Air skidded off the runway on Java Island.
The country's worst crash occurred in September 1997, when a Garuda Airbus smashed into mountains near Medan, killing all 232 people on board.
By IRWAN FIRDAUS, Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago
An Indonesian jetliner slammed into a crowded neighborhood moments after a shaky takeoff Monday and burst into flames, killing 147 people, including dozens on the ground. At least 15 passengers survived, among them an 18-month-old boy, officials said.
The Mandala Airlines Boeing 737-200 was heading to Jakarta in overcast weather when it plowed into a row of houses 500 yards from the airport and skidded onto a busy road in this city on northeast Sumatra island. Witnesses said some people were on fire as they fled the wreckage.
Firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, which engulfed dozens of houses and at least 10 cars, in a midmorning rainstorm. It was the sixth major jet crash worldwide since Aug. 1.
The plane was carrying 116 passengers and crew, airline spokesman Alex Widjojo said. There were differing accounts on the number of survivors.
Airline spokeswoman Nining, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said 16 people survived, including an 18-month-old boy and his mother.
Medan police chief Col. Irawan Dahlan said there were 15 survivors from the plane.
Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa was quoted by the private Detik.com news Web site as saying 47 people on the ground were killed.
City hospitals also were treating at least a dozen residents, officials said.
Many of the flight's survivors were sitting in the back of the plane, passenger Rohadi Sitepu said.
"The plane was taking off, but suddenly there was a strong tremor and it jerked to the left and crashed," he told Metro TV from his hospital bed. "There was fire everywhere, from the front of the plane to the back."
Witnesses said the plane started shaking violently when it reached an altitude of about 100 yards before banking to the left and plunging to the ground.
"I saw at least 20 people running around with their clothes alight," said Awi, a shop owner. "They were shrieking in agony and shouting, 'Help! Help!'"
The cause of the crash was under investigation, but foul play was highly unlikely, said airline managing director Asril Tanjung.
Hundreds of policemen, paramedics and residents tried to evacuate victims, but flames and thousands of onlookers hampered efforts, said Syahrial Anas, a doctor overseeing the removal of charred bodies.
"We're having a hard time getting to the bodies because of the heat," Anas told The Associated Press.
Monday's crash follows five major airline accidents in August, the deadliest month for plane disasters since May 2002. Some 334 people died last month in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and Tunisia. A plane also overshot a Toronto runway and caught fire, but no one died.
At the Jakarta airport, dozens of relatives and friends of the victims cried upon hearing the news.
"I am waiting for my mother but Mandala just said that the plane crashed and she was on board," said Aryati, weeping as she spoke. "Her name has appeared on a list of victims on TV."
The dead included the governor of North Sumatra province, who was heading to the capital to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Medan, the country's third-largest city, has been a major staging point for tsunami relief operations in Aceh province, on the northern tip of Sumatra island. The international airport is close to the center of town and is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods.
Mandala Airlines is a Jakarta-based domestic carrier founded in 1969 by a military-run foundation. Its 15-plane fleet consists mainly of 1970s-vintage Boeing 737-200 jets. In recent years, the financially troubled airline has been forced to cut services and fares to remain competitive.
The plane was nearly 25 years old and received its last comprehensive service in June, Mandala said. It had flown more than 50,000 hours and was due to be retired in 2016.
Indonesia's last jetliner crash occurred in February 2005, when 26 people died after a plane operated by low-cost carrier Lion Air skidded off the runway on Java Island.
The country's worst crash occurred in September 1997, when a Garuda Airbus smashed into mountains near Medan, killing all 232 people on board.
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Buongiorno.
Off topic correction to alleged "Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago" I. Firdaus' article:
"in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and Tunisia."
=> in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and italy...
http://www.ansv.it/En/Index.asp
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=184932
Over and out,
VB
Off topic correction to alleged "Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago" I. Firdaus' article:
"in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and Tunisia."
=> in accidents in Peru, Venezuela, Greece and italy...
http://www.ansv.it/En/Index.asp
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hreadid=184932
Over and out,
VB
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Mandala was founded in 1969 by a foundation linked to the Indonesian armed forces. Not wanting to put too fine a point on it, but such ownership often suggests that a company could, if it wanted, operate without having to endure much interference from civilian authorities.
Doesn't count much nowadays... Being a 100% civilian with enough brown envelopes you can get away with a lot more sins than Mandala.
13 PAX got out
Only 6 survived as I write this according the latest. The rest succumbed before today's daybreak.
PK-KAR
Doesn't count much nowadays... Being a 100% civilian with enough brown envelopes you can get away with a lot more sins than Mandala.
13 PAX got out
Only 6 survived as I write this according the latest. The rest succumbed before today's daybreak.
PK-KAR
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There is now an independent confirmation of the earlier report of a local resident, that the airplane did not manage to climb over the ILS antennas, ploughed through the antenna and a river bank before hitting the homes:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...E23109,00.html
Simon
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...E23109,00.html
Simon
PK-KAR,
The first photo you posted claiming to show the crash location is a hoax. That photograph was taken late 2003, it is not a recent photograph.
The circle is just around some trees, not aircraft wreckage.
The first photo you posted claiming to show the crash location is a hoax. That photograph was taken late 2003, it is not a recent photograph.
The circle is just around some trees, not aircraft wreckage.
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Real Photos of the accident, not for the squeamish...
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=7&tag=2
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=7&tag=3
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=7&tag=2
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=7&tag=3
PK-KAR,
The first photo you posted claiming to show the crash location is a hoax. That photograph was taken late 2003, it is not a recent photograph.
The circle is just around some trees, not aircraft wreckage.
The first photo you posted claiming to show the crash location is a hoax. That photograph was taken late 2003, it is not a recent photograph.
The circle is just around some trees, not aircraft wreckage.
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I could not access thru Senior Dispatcher's URL. I posted my own here, same as his, and it worked when I opened a new Explorer, but did not work when I tried it in this post, so I deleted it.
Try http://editorial.gettyimages.com and poke around among the images for the one you want.
Try http://editorial.gettyimages.com and poke around among the images for the one you want.
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Don't know why that is..
If you go to the site, typing in "Mandala" results in about 160+ images...
Thanks for reposting a link...
If you go to the site, typing in "Mandala" results in about 160+ images...
Thanks for reposting a link...
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Indonesian crash
Crashed Indonesia jet may have had fuel problem
JAKARTA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - A preliminary investigation
into the crash of an Indonesian airliner that killed 149 people
has found a problem with one of the plane's engines, a
transport safety official told Reuters.
"During our preliminary investigation we have found a fuel
problem on the engine," said Setyo Rahardjo, head of the
National Transport Safety Committee.
A Boeing 737-200s has two engines, but Rahardjo did not say
which was at fault and stressed the findings were preliminary.
The disaster on Monday in Medan, Indonesia's third-biggest
city, killed 149 people, 102 of them on board Mandala Airlines
flight RI 091 and 47 others on the ground in a crowded
neighbourhood.
REUTERS
JAKARTA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - A preliminary investigation
into the crash of an Indonesian airliner that killed 149 people
has found a problem with one of the plane's engines, a
transport safety official told Reuters.
"During our preliminary investigation we have found a fuel
problem on the engine," said Setyo Rahardjo, head of the
National Transport Safety Committee.
A Boeing 737-200s has two engines, but Rahardjo did not say
which was at fault and stressed the findings were preliminary.
The disaster on Monday in Medan, Indonesia's third-biggest
city, killed 149 people, 102 of them on board Mandala Airlines
flight RI 091 and 47 others on the ground in a crowded
neighbourhood.
REUTERS
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After summing up the TV coverage and a few calls,
It appears that the aircraft overran, over the ditch (following the tree line just below the runway start (no not the threshold)), the fence is also on that line, One engine (presumably the left) deposited between the fence and the first house before the road.
According to witnesses, the aircraft hit the front of that house nose up (slightly to the left of the 05 approach centerline), landed a few meters afterwards, followed the road, the second engine is deposited there... The main wreckage stopped just before the tree still to the left of the 05 approach centerline but almost directly below it.
Last night the NTSC announced that it found deformity in the compressor on one of the engines (did not specify which one AFAIK). Some of us down here are assuming it's the left engine based on a Mandala pilot's detail on PK-RIM's high EGT readings from the No.1 engine in recent months.
However, with a Garuda 734 single engining after departing Medan yesterday morning, speculation went about the fuel supply at Medan Airport, until the afternoon/evening NTSC announcement. The GA 734's (PK-GWW) number 2 engine have been problematic recently, however fuel is not entirely dismissed yet as a cause of the GA incident and the Mandala 732.
Swh,
1. Where in this thread did I write that the photo was taken AFTER the crash?
2. If you look, the road that runs from the top left to the bottom right of the circle is where the aircraft rested. It's not just trees there mate.
Call me a hoaxer if you like, but that was not the intention. Anyone can see that the photo has no PK-RIM wreck anywhere within it. The intention of the photo was to give an idea on where the aircraft came to a stop and what was surrounding the airport, which, until the NTSC's graphic experts releases the final diagrams of the aircraft's path, would give those who'd like to know a much better idea than those diagrams found in the media.
If you think my intention was to deliberately mislead people here, then I suggest you buy me a ticket to go to Medan so I can either provide a photo of the actual crash site, or if you'd like to punish me instead, assign me to start scraping charred body remains off the street!
Sorry if I can only provide the next best thing...
PK-KAR
It appears that the aircraft overran, over the ditch (following the tree line just below the runway start (no not the threshold)), the fence is also on that line, One engine (presumably the left) deposited between the fence and the first house before the road.
According to witnesses, the aircraft hit the front of that house nose up (slightly to the left of the 05 approach centerline), landed a few meters afterwards, followed the road, the second engine is deposited there... The main wreckage stopped just before the tree still to the left of the 05 approach centerline but almost directly below it.
Last night the NTSC announced that it found deformity in the compressor on one of the engines (did not specify which one AFAIK). Some of us down here are assuming it's the left engine based on a Mandala pilot's detail on PK-RIM's high EGT readings from the No.1 engine in recent months.
However, with a Garuda 734 single engining after departing Medan yesterday morning, speculation went about the fuel supply at Medan Airport, until the afternoon/evening NTSC announcement. The GA 734's (PK-GWW) number 2 engine have been problematic recently, however fuel is not entirely dismissed yet as a cause of the GA incident and the Mandala 732.
Swh,
1. Where in this thread did I write that the photo was taken AFTER the crash?
2. If you look, the road that runs from the top left to the bottom right of the circle is where the aircraft rested. It's not just trees there mate.
Call me a hoaxer if you like, but that was not the intention. Anyone can see that the photo has no PK-RIM wreck anywhere within it. The intention of the photo was to give an idea on where the aircraft came to a stop and what was surrounding the airport, which, until the NTSC's graphic experts releases the final diagrams of the aircraft's path, would give those who'd like to know a much better idea than those diagrams found in the media.
If you think my intention was to deliberately mislead people here, then I suggest you buy me a ticket to go to Medan so I can either provide a photo of the actual crash site, or if you'd like to punish me instead, assign me to start scraping charred body remains off the street!
Sorry if I can only provide the next best thing...
PK-KAR