Mariel Grazella, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 05/07/2011
Ministry of Transportation Director General Herry Bhakti said that heavy rains were the probable cause of the Merpati MA 60 plane crash on Saturday.
The airplane crashed at around 2 p.m on Saturday near the Utarung Kaimana Airport in West Papua.
“The weather was bad as there was heavy rainfall, which shortened the [pilot’s] range of vision. It was also very dark. Thus, the airplane did not reach the runway,” Herry told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
He added that the plane had crashed approximately 500 meters before the runway. It crashed into deep water, as the Utarung Kaimana Airport is situated next to the sea.
He further said that the body of the plane broke apart upon impact, which decreases any chances of survival.
The plane, which has a capacity of 50 people, was flying from Nabire, Papua, to Kaimana carrying 21 passengers and six crew members, he said.
He further added that a team of Search and Rescue officers, airport officials and local fishermen were conducting a search around the crash location.
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