Airplane skids off runway

JAKARTA (JP): A Garuda Indonesia airplane with 20 people onboard skidded off the runway at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport here during a predawn landing yesterday. No one was reported hurt.

Garuda's business affairs official, Arif Hartanto, said yesterday that an MD-11 aircraft piloted by Dwi Pantara managed to touchdown on runway 25, but the slippery track propelled the airplane onto the grass.

Rain was pouring down at the airport as the aircraft, carrying four passengers and 16 aircrew, completed its flight from Denpasar, Bali.

All of the aircraft's 10 wheels went onto the grass, but none of its engines were damaged as they did not touch the ground. The aircrew led the passengers out of the aircraft through the normal doors.

No flight delays or traffic troubles were reported following the accident.

The Directorate of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation is currently investigating the case, according to Arif.

The aircraft was one of Garuda's fleet of seven MD-11s operating since January 1992. Arif said all of the 295-seat airplanes were airworthy as they had always undergone regular ground services. All pilots have psychological and ability tests every six months. (amd)