The Jakarta Post, June 06, 2006
Merpati plane skids, 13 injured
AMBON, Maluku: A commercial Cassa 212 plane operated by Merpati Airlines
skidded off the runway amid poor weather conditions at Banda Naira Airport in Central
Maluku regency after it landed Monday, with the aircraft ending up some 150 meters
from the runway.
Thirteen of the 18 people on board, including three attendants, were treated at Banda
Naira community health center for fractured bones.
The airline's district manager in Ambon, Frits de Fretes, confirmed the accident,
saying it happened due to bad weather.
"The runway was slippery because of rain and at the time of landing, strong wind
made the aircraft skid off the runway," he said Monday.
He said the airline has requested assistance from the Army to evacuate victims and
the company has deployed an aircraft which was expected to arrive Monday night.
Two of the passengers were seriously injured, he said. The airlines will cover all
medical expenses for those who need further treatment in Jakarta hospitals, he
added. -- JP
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