INDONESIA: Indonesian investigators works on Garuda crash site and clean up all the belongings from area after the crash killed more than 20 people. Australian survivors share tales of their survival
Record ID:
382652
INDONESIA: Indonesian investigators works on Garuda crash site and clean up all the belongings from area after the crash killed more than 20 people. Australian survivors share tales of their survival
- Title: INDONESIA: Indonesian investigators works on Garuda crash site and clean up all the belongings from area after the crash killed more than 20 people. Australian survivors share tales of their survival
- Date: 10th March 2007
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) SENIOR INVESTIGATOR FRANS WENAS SAYING: "The construction of a plane changes after impact-- this led to the exit door failing from opening after landing-- preventing some of the passengers from escaping. It's all been confirmed by the cabin crew that the main front left exit could not open." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CLEARING CARGO SUITCASE VARIOUS OF WRECKAGE VARIOUS OF PLANE ON TARMAC AND GARUDA TAKING OFF
- Embargoed: 25th March 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVABJ9J3RIMLCR0ZL1YV9FPA6EK5
- Story Text: Indonesian investigators continued to work on the Garuda crash site on Saturday (March 10) for more evidence and cleared up cargo and luggage from the area, after a landing accident killed more than 20 people last week.
Investigators have found the plane's black box which has been sent to Australia so important flight data can be retrieved. Indonesian police say early signs suggest human error.
The main front left exit of an Indonesian plane that crashed this week failed to open after landing, preventing some of the passengers from escaping. Most survivors were from the coach class who exited from the back left door while some passengers, including those from the front seats, used the left over wing exits.
The senior investigator from National Commissions on Safety Transportation Frans Wenas said: "The construction of a plane changes after impact-- this led to the exit door failing from opening after landing-- preventing some of the passengers from escaping. It's all been confirmed by the cabin crew that the main front left exit could not open."
The pilot and co-pilot survived without major injuries but have not been interrogated yet because they are still in shock.
Aviation experts say Garuda's safety record has improved in recent years, especially after a 1997 accident on Sumatra island which killed all 234 on board.
The only deadly accident between that and Wednesday's crash was an emergency landing in a Java river which killed one crew member in 2002.
Yogyakarta, around 440 km (270 miles) southeast of Jakarta, is known as the cultural heart of Indonesia and is popular with tourists. Its Adisucipto airport is known for its short runway.
Indonesia has suffered a string of transport accidents in recent months, including an Adam Air plane that disappeared in January with 102 passengers and crew on board and a ferry sinking in late December in which hundreds died.
There has been no apparent drop in air transport demand although Indonesia has suffered two deadly plane accidents in less than three months.
Two Australian airforce workers who survived a plane crash in Indonesia talked to the media about their ordeal after they were discharged from hospital on Friday (March 9).
The ill-fated flight that crashed on Wednesday was carrying 133 passengers and seven crew when it crashed after a scheduled flight from Jakarta.
The airline and other sources have been giving slightly different figures on the number of dead, ranging from 20 to 23.
Four Australians were among the dead. No official finding has been announced on the accident's cause, but transport investigators have descended on Yogyakarta. ENDS. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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