Friends remember crash victims

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

"I won't be able to celebrate Idul Fitri at home this year because I have an official trip and will be away for quite a while," said Chief Sgt. Bobby Aprianto to his neighbor Zakaria, 52, on Oct. 22.

Zakaria never thought that it would be his last conversation with Bobby.

Bobby was killed along with six other Air Force personnel when their Sikorsky S-58T Twin Pack helicopter crashed during a test flight at the Atang Sanjaya airfield in Bogor on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 10:18 a.m.

The other six victims were pilot Capt. Andy Wijaya, co-pilot Capt. Gustaf, technicians Chief. Sgt. Syaefudin, Sgt. Maj. Munajat Hadiansyah, First Sgt. Ipnu Mawardi and Chief Pvt. Sukendar.

"Pak Bobby was a very pleasant man. He was very friendly with his neighbors and people around the Atang Sanjaya airfield," Zakaria said on Thursday at the funerals of five of the victims at Dredet Heroes Cemetery in Bogor.

"He died so young ... he was looking forward to the arrival of his baby," he added.

Bobby's eldest daughter, Salsabila, 3, died a few months ago from a fever. His wife, Neng Nuriah, is now two months pregnant.

Bobby did not live at the Air Force complex, instead he lived with his parents-in-law in Semplak village, West Bogor district, Bogor.

Zakaria said that Bobby usually asked his neighbors to go fishing on his days off.

Grief was also felt by Helmi, 40, and Asep Supriadi, 38, former schoolmates of Munajat.

"We were classmates during elementary school in Gadog, Bogor. Munajat was a nice person, he was a loyal friend. Whenever his friends were ill, he would always visit them," Helmi said.

Both Helmi and Asep last saw Munajat 10 years ago.

"We lived nearby but rarely saw each other because he was always flying. He also taught at the Atang Sanjata aeronautics vocational school. Now, we can only see his coffin," Helmi said.

During the funeral, Munajat's father could not hide his grief and fainted.

Houses of the crash victims at the Air Force complex were still being guarded by Air Force personnel on Friday.

An Air Force military policeman, Second Corp. Marjono, reminded the press not to disturb or attempt to interview the grieving families.

"That's an order from our superior," he said.