Four injured in plane mishap

JAKARTA (JP): Four passengers were injured when Merpati Nusantara Airlines flight MZ-715 made an abortive takeoff at Walter Monginsidi Airport in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Friday.

Passengers Gazali Ibrahim, L.M. Santoso, Mrs Tumbo Saranani and Eddy Yonjo were in good condition after sustaining only minor injuries, Antara news service reported.

The 56 other passengers on the plane were uninjured.

An investigation team is currently looking into the cause of the accident.

The pilot, Cpt. Ketut Aryono, said he decided to abort the takeoff when the plane was at full taxying speed. The plane skidded about 50 meters off the runway.

Antara reported that Ketut refused to reveal why he decided to abort the takeoff.

The plane was bound for Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.