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Monday, April 6, 2009

Pilot sentenced to 2 years for crash


The Jakarta Post, The Associated Press, Yogyakarta | Mon, 04/06/2009 3:42 PM

Yogyakarta's Sleman District Court has sentenced pilot Capt. Marwoto Komar to two years in prison for crasing a jetliner in 2007, killing 21 people.

Komar was approaching the Yogyakarta runway at almost double the normal speed when his Garuda Boeing 737-400 careered into a rice paddy and burst into flames.

He is accused of disregarding repeated alerts indicating it was not safe to land - including at least one by his co-pilot urging him to circle around again.

"His negligence caused loss of life," presiding judge Sri Andini told the packed Sleman District Court as he handed down his verdict.

Komar - who together with the co-pilot and 117 others survived the crash - blamed mechanical problems and said he would appeal.

Among the dead and injured were Australian diplomats, police, military personnel and journalists who were following a visit by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to the central Javan city.

Indonesia has had a string of deadly plane crashes since 2005. Experts say poor maintenance, rule-bending and a shortage of properly trained pilots may contribute to the country's poor aviation safety.


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