Investigation Summary
Flight 836 was a scheduled domestic service that originated in Makassar with a transit stop in Sorong. The final leg to Manokwari was delayed by nearly three hours due to poor weather at the destination. Because Rendani Airport lacked published instrument approach procedures, the crew was required to conduct the approach under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) despite the prevailing rain and limited visibility of approximately 3 kilometers. The aircraft touched down approximately 120 meters from the threshold of Runway 35. Witnesses both on the ground and inside the cabin reported that the engine thrust reversers were not heard during the landing roll. The aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently on the wet runway, veered left, and overran the pavement at the northern end. It traveled approximately 205 meters beyond the runway, crossing steep terrain and mangrove vegetation before stopping in a shallow river. The impact caused the port wing to be torn off, the fuselage to split, and the tail to break off.
Final Conclusions
The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) of Indonesia resulted in a Preliminary Report (KNKT.10.04.09.04). The report established that the flight was conducted under VFR despite marginal weather conditions (3km visibility in rain) because Rendani Airport lacked published instrument approach procedures. The aircraft touched down normally about 120 meters from the threshold, but witnesses and flight data indicated that engine thrust reversers were not heard or utilized during the landing roll on the wet runway. The aircraft failed to stop, veered left, and overran into the Rendani River. A final report confirming the definitive cause is not available in the current record.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Pilot Flying
First Officer
Support/Monitoring Pilot; held a command rating on the aircraft.
Systems & Failure Modes
Engine Thrust Reversers
Mechanical systems used to redirect engine thrust forward to assist in deceleration; witnesses reported these were not heard during the landing roll.
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
A small engine providing power for aircraft systems on the ground; this unit was noted as unserviceable since April 10, 2010.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Boeing 737-300 that had previously served with United Airlines.
- 02The auxiliary power unit (APU) had been unserviceable for three days prior to the accident.
- 03The aircraft was destroyed, with the fuselage splitting into three pieces and the port wing being torn off.
- 04Ten passengers sustained serious injuries, while 34 others had minor injuries.
- 05The runway at Rendani Airport was 2,000 meters long and 30 meters wide.
- 06The crew consisted of 7 members: a Captain, a First Officer, and 5 cabin crew.
Safety Actions & Advisories
DGCA Facility Review
The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation was instructed to review airport facilities against safety regulations to ensure they meet standards for large aircraft.
Airline Safety Review
Merpati Nusantara Airlines was directed to conduct a review of its safety regulations and the capability of airports it serves to handle Boeing 737 aircraft.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
VFR Operations in Marginal Weather
Reference ↗The investigation highlighted a conflict between airport requirements and actual conditions: Rendani Airport lacked instrument approach procedures, forcing crews to conduct VFR approaches even when visibility was at the minimum threshold (3km) and weather was deteriorating, increasing the risk of landing accidents during heavy rain.