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.