Jetliner crashes into residential area of Indonesian city, 30 feared dead

[ECH1969]

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - An Indonesian jetliner crashed into a residential neighbourhood in the city of Medan one minute after takeoff Monday and burst into flames, witnesses said. At least 30 people were feared dead.

The plane was operated by Mandala, a low-cost carrier, and was heading to Jakarta when it crashed, Rizal, a witness, told Metro television station.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the plane, but Rizal said he saw at least 30 charred bodies at the accident site.

http://www.brandonsun.com/story.php?story_id=2667

[MadisonProgressive]

1. Now saying at least 60 dead

Sure have been a lot of airline crashes lately.

[Kagemusha]

2. In all fairness, they said that the last time there was a bunch, too

There's good old dumb luck involved, I think.

[parkia00]

6. Another very real possibility

Indonesian budget airlines are in a word scary! The average age of the jets are 30-35 year old 737 and 727 and if one is to judge from their exterior condition on many of their planes, one might easily conclude that the interior condition and maintainence is also very spotty. Sorry, I don't care how cheap your tickets are but I'm not setting foot in such an aircraft! Not Mandala Airline but another very similar Indonesian budget carrier.

[tuvor]

3. Indonesian Airliner Crashes With 117 Aboard

By Alan Sipress
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, September 5, 2005; Page A28

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 5 -- An Indonesian airliner crashed Monday into a residential neighborhood and traditional market shortly after taking off from the western city of Medan on the island of Sumatra. All 117 aboard were believed killed, the transport minister said.

The Boeing 737-200, operated by Mandala Airlines, had 112 passengers and five crew members aboard, the airline said.


Among those aboard were Teuku Rizal Nurdin, the governor of North Sumatra province.

The Indonesian transport minister, Hatta Radjasa, told El-Shinta radio that the airplane came down about 500 yards beyond the runway in Medan, the country's third-largest city.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090500078.html

[ThoughtCriminal]

4. Bad week

Running low :cry:

[lebkuchen]

5. My immediate thought was that some govt. official was on board

and I was right.