Plane wreckage identified

Plane wreckage identified

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Plane wreckage found in jungle in eastern Aceh has been identified as a Piper Astec belonging to the state- owned plantation company PTP-III that crashed thirteen years ago.

The "sky van" crashed on Nov. 25, 1982 with five people on board, spokesman for the East Aceh police precinct Capt. Tamzil Djalil said yesterday.

They were pilot Imam Supadio, PTP-III president O.B. Siahaan and three company employees identified as C.M. Gultom, Masduki and Sujasto.

It was reported missing on its way from Aek Nabara to the North Sumatra capital of Medan, the Antara news agency reported.

Among the signs that led to the identification of the plane were Siahaan's name cards and the inscription PK-PNP on the ill- fated plane's wings, Tamzil said.

Investigators set off for the crash site yesterday. The wreckage was found by chance by a group of residents. Extensive searches of the area at the time of the crash proved unsuccessful. (pan)