Pilot blamed for STABO incident: Army chief

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Bone, South Sulawesi

The Indonesian Military (TNI) investigation into the death of eight of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) personnel during an exercise in Aceh in August has pointed the blame at the helicopter pilot.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Wednesday the TNI investigating team found the pilot did not follow procedures in the event of such an emergency.

"A mistake had been committed by the pilot in the incident. He should have upped the helicopter speed to avoid the strong wind, but instead he elevated the chopper which resulted in more wind pressure on the aircraft," Ryamizard said after closing the training of the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion of the Wirabuana Military Command here in Sulawesi.

He added the pilot would be court martialled and would also face disciplinary measures.

"Any errant soldier will receive punishment, including the pilot," he said.

The eight Kopassus soldiers fell into waters off Lhokseumawe in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam on Oct. 4 after the harness they were hanging onto from the helicopter was cut after the chopper became unstable amid strong winds.

The elite soldiers were practicing the STABO, or Stabilized Tactical Airborne Operation, maneuver in preparation for the 58th TNI anniversary celebration. The maneuver is commonly conducted by antiterror units to evacuate hostages.

The bodies of the Kopassus personnel were found the following day tied to one another floating near the location where they plunged.

Ryamizard said the TNI investigating team was looking into the possibility of other officers aboard of the helicopter sharing the blame.

"The team is certain of the offense committed by the pilot, while the role of other officers is being probed," Ryamizard said.

In addition to the pilot, there were four Kopassus officers aboard the chopper when the incident took place. It was them who cut the harness.

The chopper was reportedly flying about 600 feet above the water, when strong winds buffeted the helicopter. According to standard procedure, in a situation where the passengers and helicopter is endangered the harness has to be cut. Had the harness not been cut in this incident, the soldiers aboard the chopper would have met a certain death, it was reported.

Ryamizard said while closing the training for the Army raiders the drill was aimed at improving the soldiers' capability in the face of threats to national integrity.

Around 800 troops took part in the six-month training, held near Tete Beach in Bonepute village, some 200 kilometers west of the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.