Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar
A Garuda Indonesia airliner landed safely despite a burst tire at Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Thursday.
A spokesman for the airline, Pujobroto, said the Boeing 737-400, carrying 134 passengers and seven crew members, left Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 7:45 a.m., for Makassar en route to Manado, North Sulawesi.
He said the pilot had noticed the plane shake unusually a moment after take-off but was unable to detect the problem as the plane's indicators were normal. He then asked the ground staff at Makassar to observe the plane's tire before landing.
"The plane was holding for 25 to 30 minutes before landing and the staff at Hasanuddin airport informed (the pilot) that the inner tire of the plane's left main wheel had burst," Pujobroto said in a statement mailed to The Jakarta Post.
The plane is now undergoing checks at Makassar airport.
State-run airport management company PT Angkasa Pura I spokesman Yan Daulima said the pilot, Adi Nasai, had reduced his speed by circling over the airport and using up fuel to cut the risk of landing with a damaged tire.
"The pilot told us that one of the plane's rear wheels was punctured. The pilot also informed us that he was trying to reduce his speed as must as possible, so he circled over (the airport). Fortunately, he landed the plane safely," said Yan.
"We did not feel a jolt when the plane was about to land. It landed normally," said Sumiati, a passenger.
She said that passengers were not initially aware that there was a problem, but after two hours of circling above the airport they began to grow worried.
"After two hours, we started to feel anxious. Several passengers were looking at their watches and some looking out the window, but the plane seemed to keep circling and was not about to land. Everyone seemed quiet. My friends and I tried to remain calm and prayed for a safe landing," said Sumiati, who was traveling to Makassar with two friends to attend a convention.
Another passenger, Budi Siahaan, said he heard a blast coming from the left side of the plane soon after it took off, but did not think that it was from a rear tire of the plane.
Passengers only began to panic when they were evacuated from the plane on landing and saw ambulances, fire trucks and officers on standby, as well as the damaged tire.
Yan Daulima said his office immediately prepared the necessary safety measures according to fixed procedures the moment the pilot told his office about the tire
He added airport authorities had closed air traffic for 30 minutes but that it did not interrupt incoming and outgoing flights since the flight schedule happened to be empty.
Workers have towed the plane to the apron while it waits to be repaired.
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