Garuda plane crash lands, passengers get compensation

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A Garuda Indonesia airplane from Surabaya landed safely at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday after its left- hand landing gear collapsed as it was taxiing to the runway's apron.

The passengers, 22 adults and two children, were all pronounced safe at the end of the one-hour incident.

All the 24 passengers were evacuated to Quality Hotel, located at Terminal F of Soekarno-Hatta, and were also sent to the airport's medical center to be checked for injuries.

PT Garuda Indonesia spokesman Pujobroto said that 23 passengers had left the hotel by 3 p.m., while the remaining passenger continued on his flight to Seoul.

The airline has announced that they would send each passenger Rp 20 million (US$2,325.60) in compensation to their homes, starting today (Tuesday).

"Our representatives will visit their houses with the compensation as a sign of sympathy from the airline," Pujobroto said.

The GA-073 plane took off from Surabaya Juanda airport at 10:15 a.m. and was scheduled to land in Jakarta at 11:30 a.m. The plane finally touched down safely at 12:40 p.m. The aircraft was taken to the Garuda Indonesia hangar for repairs at 3:18 p.m.

Pilot Sindutomo and co-pilot Adrian Banser became aware that the plane's left landing gear had collapsed 10 minutes before the estimated time of arrival.

"The plane had to circle in the air for an hour before it could land safely. The pilots also had to alert air traffic control, as is the standard operating procedure," said Pujobroto in a statement.

The F-28MK3000 aircraft, registration number PK-GFT, had served the Surabaya-Jakarta route twice before it experienced the mechanical problem.

Garuda no longer has its own maintenance department, as it was established as a separate company, PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia (GMFAA), in which PT Garuda Indonesia owns 99 percent shares.

The new company was established in accordance with the government's 2002-2006 restructuring master plan, under which state-owned companies have been directed to focus on their core businesses.

The national flagship dismissed 233 technicians last week for their refusal to transfer to the new company.