Investigation Summary
The flight was a scheduled domestic service from Jakarta to Tanjung Pandan. The aircraft, a British Aerospace ATP named Sangeang, was five years old at the time of the accident. During the approach to runway 36, the crew requested landing clearance at 07:35 WIB while at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Shortly after, the aircraft suffered a significant roll to the left. Witnesses on the ground reported the plane diving nose-first into a coconut grove in Bulutumbang village. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact impact site; while Wikipedia cites a distance of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the runway, the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives and Aviation Safety Network record the crash site as approximately 1.5 kilometers (1,500 meters) short of the threshold. The fuselage was severely damaged, with sources variously describing it as breaking into two or three sections, and a fire broke out in the forward section. Among the 53 occupants, 15 were killed, including four of the five crew members. The captain and first officer were among the fatalities, while one flight attendant and 37 passengers survived the impact and subsequent fire.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a loss of control following the failure of the left engine during the approach phase. Investigators found the left propeller in a feathered state, indicating the engine was either shut down by the crew or failed automatically. The sudden asymmetry at a low altitude and approach speed led to an unrecoverable bank and descent into terrain.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Pratt & Whitney Canada PW126 Engines
The aircraft was powered by two turboprop engines; the left engine failed during the approach, leading to the loss of control.
Propeller Feathering System
A safety system designed to turn propeller blades parallel to the airflow to reduce drag after an engine failure; the left propeller was found in this state.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a British Aerospace ATP manufactured in 1992, carrying MSN 2048.
- 02The aircraft was named 'Sangeang'.
- 03The left engine propeller was found in the feathered position at the crash site.
- 04The accident occurred approximately 1,500 to 6,000 meters short of the runway.
- 05The flight was carrying 48 passengers, including 44 adults, two children, and two infants.
- 06Four out of five crew members were killed in the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Propeller Feathering Investigation
Following the discovery of the left propeller in the feathered position, investigators focused on the ATP's engine failure and autofeather systems to determine if the feathering was a result of crew action or an automatic system response to engine power loss.