Plane mishap under probe

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Investigators said yesterday that Friday's abortive takeoff of Merpati's flight MZ-715 at Wolter Mongisidi Airport was caused by an unlocked baggage compartment door.

The head of the investigation team, Cpt. Santoso Sayogo, said warning lights went on just as the plane was about to take off, forcing the pilot to abort.

The pilot lost control and could not stop the plane as it skidded off the runway, Santoso said as quoted by Antara yesterday.

Four out of the sixty people onboard sustained minor injuries and the plane was damaged with its left wing and tail broken.

"We have yet been able to determine exactly why the plane could not stop, whether it was technical or human error," he said adding that the plane was not running at a very high speed.

Santoso commended the pilot's action, saying that aborting the take-off was the right measure to take.