Bouraq plane not overloaded

AMBON, Maluku: A Ternate-bound Bouraq airliner that crashed into a dike after it failed to take off last week was not overloaded, a company official said Saturday.

Sumar, chief of the Ambon branch of the state-owned air transportation firm Angkasa Pura said only 43 passengers were on board, while the aircraft's capacity is 44.

"There is even an extra 567 kilograms that the craft can endure," Sumar was quoted by Antara as saying.

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

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 gear had sunk into the ground.

No fatalities were reported. A total of ten passengers were injured.

"The precise cause of the crash is still under investigation," Sumar said. (14)