Pilot blamed for STABO incident: Army chief

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.