Passengers, crew safe after plane skids off Indonesia's Papua airport

September 10, 2024, 1:54 pm

<p>A rescuer checks the Trigana Air plane that experienced runway excursion at the Stevanus Rumbewas Airport in Yapen Islands, Papua on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024).<em> (ANTARA/HO-Basarnas)</em></p>

A rescuer checks the Trigana Air plane that experienced runway excursion at the Stevanus Rumbewas Airport in Yapen Islands, Papua on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Basarnas)

JAKARTA – All passengers and crew of the Trigana Air ATR 42-500 aircraft (registration PK-YSP), which skidded off the runway at Stevanus Rumbewas Airport in Yapen Islands, Papua, Monday have been transported to a hospital.

The aircraft was carrying 41 adult passengers, one infant, and six crew members. 

It was en route to Sentani Airport in Jayapura, the province's capital.

"They have been evacuated to the Serui Regional General Hospital for medical treatment due to injuries and trauma sustained in the incident," said Kusworo, the head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

He noted that the local SAR team at the scene of the incident ensured that all passengers were safe and there were no casualties.

Trigana Air Deputy Area Manager Irwan Rochendi said that the incident occurred at around 10:35 a.m. local time.

The airline reported that the aircraft, with a total baggage capacity of 270 kilograms, is severely damaged. 

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. However, the airline has confirmed that the aircraft was in good condition prior to takeoff. 

"We are still awaiting information from the pilot regarding the exact cause of the aircraft skidding," said Trigana Air's Director of Safety, Security, and Quality, Captain Lalu Yuniza. 

A statement from the Transportation Ministry revealed that the aircraft was in a standing position for takeoff at 10:21 a.m. 

At 10:35 a.m., it began taxiing on the runway. 

However, one minute later, the aircraft skidded off the runway to the left, approximately 1,200 meters from the starting point. (Antara)

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