The Jakarta Post, 6/5/2006 5:19:06 PM
Merpati plane veers off runway in Maluku
AMBON, Maluku (Antara): A plane belonging to Merpati Nusantara Airlines veered off
the runway Monday while landing in bad weather at Banda Neira airstrip on Banda
island, Maluku province.
The CN-212 plane was carrying 15 passengers -- including a three-month-old baby --
and three crew members when it landed at about 10 a.m. local time (8 a.m. Jakarta
time).
"The airplane skidded about 200 meters when it landed and veered off the runway. It
was raining heavily when the plane was landing," said Merpati's district manager in
Ambon, Benny de Fretes.
"The wings and wheels were damaged and there are cracks on the fuselage," he said.
There was no fatalities reported, although several passengers and the crew were
injured.
"Some of the passengers suffered fractures and bruises, including co-pilot Resy
Rendisa and flight engineer Rico HS.
We are evacuating the passengers to Ambon for further treatment," Benny said.
The airline dispatched another CN-212 plane from Manado, North Sulawesi, to
evacuate the injured passengers. The Army has also sent a CN-212 for evacuation.
Medical staff from Dr. Haulussy General Hospital in Ambon will also be flown to
Banda to tend the injured passengers. (***)
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