Japanese probe blames Garuda pilot for accident

Japanese probe blames Garuda pilot for accident

TOKYO (DPA): Japanese authorities blamed the pilot of a Garuda
Indonesia airliner yesterday for an accident in Fukuoka, southern
Japan, in June last year, which killed three passengers and
injured 170.

In its final report, the Aircraft Accident Investigation
Committee noted that the pilot's error reflected insufficient
training, especially in emergency takeoffs.

The committee recommended Indonesian authorities boost pilots'
training programs and improve emergency exit procedures for
passengers.

Fukuoka local police will send papers to prosecutors against
the pilot, Ronald Londong, 39, charging him with causing injury
and death. The papers will be sent early next year, police
sources said.

The accident occurred on June 13 last year when the Garuda DC-
10 overshot the airport's runway while attempting to take off,
skidding into a grassy area and bursting into flames.

According to the report, the pilot should have pulled up the
plane's nose after the aircraft reached its takeoff speed of 270
kilometers per hour, rather than abandon the take off because of
engine failure.

The thrust of two remaining engines would have been sufficient
for the plane to take off, the investigators said.