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)