Garuda Indonesia Flight 200

Garuda Indonesia Flight 200

Accident summary
Date	March 7, 2007 (2007-03-07)
Type	Runway overshoot, Pilot error
Site	Adisucipto International Airport (IATA: JOG; ICAO: WARJ)
Passengers	133
Crew	7
Fatalities	22
Survivors	118
Aircraft type	Boeing 737-497
Operator	Garuda Indonesia
Tail number	PK-GZC

Garuda Indonesia Flight 200 (GA200) was the scheduled domestic passenger flight of a Boeing 737-497 operated by Garuda Indonesia between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia.^[1] The aircraft crashed and burst into flames while landing at Adisucipto International Airport on March 7, 2007. According to the airline, 21 passengers and 1 crew member were killed; both the captain and the first officer survived and were admitted to an Indonesian military hospital.^[2]

Aircraft

The aircraft was a Boeing 737-400, registered as PK-GZC, which had been operated by three airlines, including Aloha Airlines, Star Europe and Jet Airways.^[3] The aircraft had a total of 35,157 airframe hours and 37,328 cycles since its first flight on 5 November 1992.^[4]

Garuda Indonesia

Main article: Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia was recently noted for its improved safety, having not had a major accident for the past decade.^[5] The oldest airline in Indonesia (founded in 1949),^[6] Garuda Indonesia had received a number of criticisms in the months surrounding the crash. According to Australian aviation experts, Garuda Indonesia had one of the worst safety records among the world's national carriers.^[7] Since 1950, Garuda Indonesia has had 14 major accidents with the most recent in 1997, when Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 crashed 18 miles off Medan Airport in Sumatra, killing all 234 passengers.^[7] The managing director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Peter Harbison, stated that the major accidents in Indonesian aviation history were all caused by the combinations of airports' and fleets' low safety standards and the poor weather conditions in the area, including severe thunderstorms and other forms of inclement weather.^[7]

Flight chronology

Flight GA200 originated in Jakarta and was carrying 133 passengers, 19 of whom were foreigners.^[1] Several Australian journalists were on the flight, covering the visit of Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock to Java.^[8] They were on the flight as the aircraft carrying Australian dignitaries were at capacity.^[9]

At approximately 7 am local time (UTC+7), while attempting to land at Adisucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the plane overran the end of the runway, went through the perimeter fence and stopped in a nearby rice field after it bounced three times.^[5] Passengers in the plane and witnesses on the ground reported the plane approached the runway at a speed greater than normal. According to passengers, the plane shook violently before it crashed.^[10] At some point the plane caught fire, and while most passengers were able to escape, a number of passengers perished inside the burning fuselage. This may have been caused by the broken main exit door, which is located at the front left.^[11] The fire may have been ignited from the nose landing gear after its wheels were snapped off, which were found later on the runway.^[12]

The pilot, Captain Muhammad Marwoto Komar, claimed that there was a sudden downdraft immediately before the flight landed, and that the flaps on the aircraft may have malfunctioned.^[13]

Aftermath

One of the passengers was a cameraman for the Australian Seven Network. He escaped from the burning wreckage with his camera and started filming the aftermath. He made a telephone call to inform the network's Sydney newsroom and the footage was beamed back to appear on the 6pm news of that night. This exclusive footage was viewed all over the world.^[2][14] Australian Federal Police agents Brice Steele and Mark Scott, Australian Embassy staffers Liz O'Neill (public relations officer) and Allison Sudradjat (Minister Counsellor and Senior Representative of AusAID),^[15] and Australian Financial Review newspaper journalist Morgan Mellish were among those killed.^[16]

Investigation

Australia was heavily involved in the investigation in which the Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification experts were deployed to the scene to assist with the identification of bodies.^[17] Australian Transport Safety Bureau staff assisted at the scene by inspecting the wreckage to attempt to piece together a picture of the incident. The "black box" recorders consisting of a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were removed from the wreckage and flown to Canberra, Australia, for further analysis by the Bureau of Air Safety Investigations using equipment not yet available in Indonesia.^[17] The United States' National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team to assist in the investigation, including representatives from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration.^[18] Staff in Australia could not read the cockpit voice recorder of the black box, which was then sent to the Boeing factory in Seattle, United States, to be deciphered.

Police started the investigation of the pilots, who had been suspended and were suffering from psychological trauma after the inferno.^[who?] According to the pilots, a huge gust of wind was responsible for the disaster, while witnesses said that the plane was at a higher than normal speed during landing. Police were said to be investigating the possibility of a detonator inside the aircraft, with Police spokesman Budi Santoso saying "About a suspicion of a detonator might have been found inside the ill-fated plane, we are still investigating it. To prove it, it will take a long time, and the police are still collecting evidence both from witnesses' information and from objects found from the plane wreckage,".^[19]

After the flight data and black box recordings were analyzed, and a complete safety review of the airport was conducted, it was revealed that the Yogyakarta Airport did not conform to international safety standards, having a runway runoff a quarter the recommended length; pilots reported the reverse thrust of one engine was not working prior to takeoff; the weather was calm, contradicting claims of an updraft; data recordings revealed no mechanical fault before landing; black box recordings revealed there was no cockpit argument, as reported; safety vehicles were unable to reach the crash site in sufficient time, failing to conform to global safety standards.^[20]

On 17 March 2007, new evidence from the flight data recorder indicated that wing flaps on the plane were not extended for landing.^[21] New evidence came up on April 1, 2007 and it is reported that the pilot and co-pilot were arguing about the plane's speed,^[22] but other reports said there was no evidence for this.^[23]

On 11 April 2007, Indonesia's National Safety Transport Committee released a preliminary finding into the crash, confirming that Garuda Flight 200 was travelling at around 410 km/h - almost twice the normal speed - when it came in to land. A Garuda Pilots' Association official has speculated that the captain could have been trying to save fuel due to a new fuel conservation bonus scheme recently introduced by Garuda Airlines.^[24]

On October 22, 2007, the official enquiry blamed the crash on pilot error. The captain ignored the plane’s automated warning system as it sounded alarms fifteen times. He also ignored calls from the co-pilot to go around and make another approach.^[25]

On 4 February 2008 the captain, Marwoto Komar, was arrested and charged with six counts of manslaughter.^[26][27] The charge carries a penalty up to life imprisonment if the court finds the crash was deliberate. Short of that finding, the lesser charge of negligent flying causing death, carries a maximum sentence of seven-years.^[28] The copilot testified that he had told the captain to go around because of excessive speed, and that he then had blacked out due to the severe buffeting.^[29] On 6 April 2009, the captain was found guilty of negligence and sentenced to 2 years in jail.^[30] Despite all evidence pointing towards severe pilot error, the captain's conviction was quashed by the Indonesian High Court on September 29, 2009.^[31]

Change of Flight Number

Garuda has changed the flight number from GA 200 to GA 202 to avoid superstition or fear based on the flight numbers. GA 200 normally left Jakarta at around 6.15 AM (the first flight out of Jakarta bound for Yogyakarta). GA 202 now leaves at 6am.

See also

Indonesia portal

• Air safety
• Ground effect in aircraft
• Pilot error
• List of notable accidents and incidents on commercial aircraft
• Runway safety area
• Engineered materials arrestor system
• SilkAir Flight 185
• Garuda Indonesia Flight 152

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Indonesia crash survivors describe ordeal". swissinfo.org (Reuters). 2007-03-07. http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Indonesia_crash_survivors_describe_ordeal.html?siteSect=143&sid=7595071&cKey=1173253988000. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Information on passengers of GA200". Garuda Indonesia. 2007-03-07. http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/index.php?menu=news&opt=detail&id=29. 
3. ^ "PK-GZC Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-497 - cn 25664 / ln 2393". Planespotters. 2007-03-09. http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/737/25664.html. Retrieved 2007-07-20. 
4. ^ Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
5. ^ ^{a b} Firdaus, Irwan (2007-03-07). "115 escape Indonesia jet crash; 21 die". Associated Press (Chron News). http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4610007.html. Retrieved 2007-03-08. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ Eagle, Stephen; Claire Leow (2005-03-17). "Indonesia dismisses Garuda directors". Bloomberg. http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/16/bloomberg/sxgaruda.php. Retrieved 2007-03-07. 
7. ^ ^{a b c} Ashton, Heath (2007-03-07). "Garuda in world's worst category". Daily Telegraph. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21340400-5001021,00.html. Retrieved 2007-03-07. 
8. ^ Ruddock offers plane to crash survivors; The Age 7 March 2007; [1] accessed 8 March 2007
9. ^ VIP RAAF fleet upgrade follows tragedy, The Herald Sun, 18 June 2008.
10. ^ Firdaus, Irwan (2007-03-07). "Flames engulf Indonesian jet, killing 21". Association Press Writer (Yahoo News). Archived from the original on 2007-03-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20070309122907/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070307/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_jetliner_fire. Retrieved 2007-03-07. 
11. ^ "Official: Indonesian plane's main exit didn't open". Reuters (CNN). 2007-03-09. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/03/09/indonesia.plane.reut/. Retrieved 2007-03-10. ^{[dead link]}
12. ^ "Plane's front wheels 'snapped off'". AAP. Melbourne: The Age Newspaper. 2007-03-08. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/planes-front-wheels-snapped-off/2007/03/08/1173166889759.html?page=fullpage. Retrieved 2007-03-10. 
13. ^ "Pilot 'suicidal, blames wind gust'". NineMSN. 2007-03-09. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=253567. Retrieved 2007-03-10. 
14. ^ Firdaus, Irwan (2007-03-07). "Flames engulf Indonesian jet, killing 21". Associated Press Writer. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070929132111/http%3A//www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_5372502. Retrieved 2007-03-07. 
15. ^ Davis, Bruce (2007-05-08). "Head of AusAID Indonesia Confirmed Dead". Australian Agency for International Development (Australian Government; AusAID). http://www.ausaid.gov.au/media/release.cfm?BC=Media&ID=9907_6116_6487_4096_3000. Retrieved 2007-05-08. 
16. ^ Barraclough, Steven (2007-05-08). "Death of Australians in Yogyakarta". Australian Embassy (Australian Embassy Indonesia). http://www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/MR07%5f014.html. Retrieved 2007-05-08. 
17. ^ ^{a b} "Garuda black box arrives in Australia". AAP (NEWS). 2007-03-09. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21351317-1702,00.html. Retrieved 2007-03-10. ^{[dead link]}
18. ^ "NTSB SENDING TEAM TO ASSIST INDONESIA IN INVESTIGATION OF 737 CRASH" (Press release). National Transportation Safety Board. 7 March 2007. http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2007/070307.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-10. 
19. ^ Police still collect evidences on plane crash - The Jakarta Post - Obtained March 16, 2007.
20. ^ "Plane Hit At Twice Usual Speed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-04-07. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/plane-hit-at-twice-usual-speed/2007/04/06/1175366474352.html. 
21. ^ "Wing flap failure in crash jet". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 March 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/wing-flap-failure-in-crash-jet/2007/03/16/1173722744310.html. 
22. ^ "Garuda crash pilots argued over speed - investigator". Reuters. 2007-04-01. http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSYD8578320070401?pageNumber=1. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
23. ^ "Garuda crash inquiry update". Radio Australia. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1886769.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
24. ^ "Garuda crash pilot may have been trying to save fuel". ABC News Online. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1894980.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-12. 
25. ^ Lucy Williamson (2007-10-21). "'Pilot error' caused Java crash". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7056444.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
26. ^ Mark Forbes (2008-02-05). "Captain charged over Garuda crash". SMH. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/05/1202090334630.html. Retrieved 2008-02-05. 
27. ^ "Garuda crash pilot facing jail," The Australian
28. ^ Stephen Fitzpatrick (25 July 2008). "Garuda pilot 'missed chance' to correct deadly mistake". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24072646-2703,00.html. 
29. ^ Stephen Fitzpatrick (28 October 2008). "Garuda co-pilot 'blacked out' in Yogyakarta crash". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24562210-25837,00.html. 
30. ^ "Indonesian crash pilot sentenced". BBC News. 6 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7985041.stm. Retrieved 2009-04-06. 
31. ^ Allard, Tom (12 December 2009). "Crashed jet pilot's conviction quashed in high court". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/world/crashed-jet-pilots-conviction-quashed-in-high-court-20091211-kosx.html. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 

External links

External images
	Pre-accident pictures of the airplane

• National Transportation Safety Committee
  • Final Report (Archive)
  • Media Release - Final NTSC investigation report into the Boeing 737 accident at Yogyakarta on 7 March 2007 involving Garuda Indonesia flight GA200 (Archive)
  • (Indonesian) Media Release - Laporan Akhir KNKT Penyelidikan Kecelakaan Pesawat Boeing 737 Garuda Indonesia GA200 di Yogyakarta, tanggal 7 Maret 2007 (Archive)
• http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/07/asia/web-0307crash.php
• http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/03/06/indonesia.plane/index.html CNN
• http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/1014903
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6425419.stm
• History of the plane
• Garuda Flight 200 crashes 7 march 2007
• Australians feared dead in Indonesia plane crash, March 7, 2007
• Footage of the Garuda accident on YouTube
• Indonesian crash pilot on trial BBC News 24 July 2008

Coordinates: 7°48′05″S 110°21′52″E / 7.80139°S 110.36444°E / -7.80139; 110.36444