Bouraq plane bumps into dike

JAKARTA: A Bouraq airliner with 43 people on board crashed into a dike yesterday at Pattimura airport in Ambon, Maluku, after it failed to take off, Antara reported.

The accident caused no fatalities but several people were reportedly injured when panic hit.

The plane was serving the Ambon-Ternate-Manado route.

The accident happened at 9 a.m. after one of the HS-748 aircraft's engines suddenly went off as it was about to take off. The pilot switched off the other engine and applied the brake.

The airliner shot off the runway and stopped after it crashed into a dike about 180 meters from the runway. Airport officials said the plane's nose was badly dented and that the rear landing gears had sunk into the ground.

Antara reported that the rain had just stopped but added that the weather was fine when the plane was about to take off after a one-hour delay. (pan)