Indonesia probes fatal plane crash
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The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 22, 2009 00:00
MAGETAN, Indonesia - Indonesia promised yesterday to ground all of its C-130 Hercules planes if investigators determine that mechanical problems caused a crash the day before that killed 99 people.
The accident was the third involving a military aircraft in just two months. It also followed complaints that the air force could hardly afford spare parts for its aging fleet. There were 110 people on the plane, which was carrying troops and their families from the capital, Jakarta, to easternmost province of Papua.
Air force official Bambang Samoedra said at least 99 people were killed, including at least 10 children and two villagers on the ground. Fifteen people were injured, many with severe burns.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono noted yesterday that there was not enough money in the budget to properly maintain the military's aging fleet. "Ideally, the maintenance cost should be 20 percent to 25 percent of the overall military budget, but at present it's below 10 percent," he said, promising to ground all C-130s if Wednesday's crash was the result of technical or mechanical failure.
Air force official Bambang Samoedra said at least 99 people were killed, including at least 10 children and two villagers on the ground. Fifteen people were injured, many with severe burns.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono noted yesterday that there was not enough money in the budget to properly maintain the military's aging fleet. "Ideally, the maintenance cost should be 20 percent to 25 percent of the overall military budget, but at present it's below 10 percent," he said, promising to ground all C-130s if Wednesday's crash was the result of technical or mechanical failure.