Merpati plane fails to fly

Merpati plane fails to fly

KUPANG, East Nusa Tanggara: Thirty nine passengers disembarked
frightened but relieved on Wednesday after their F-27 Merpati
plane bound for Ujungpandang failed to take off due to mechanical
breakdown.

Capt. Sugeng and co-pilot Abdul Fatah canceled the flight
after two attempts to take off from the El Tari airport failed.

Sugeng told Antara that he suspected something was wrong with
the engine on a previous flight from Ujungpandang. He said he had
been forced to make a stopover in Maumere in Flores for a check.

"I decided to cancel the flight because I was concerned with
the safety the many people on board," Sugeng said.

The plane is sitting at the El Tari airport awaiting parts
from Surabaya, he said. (pan)