Merpati aircraft force-lands due to engine failure in C. Kalimantan

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 02/12/2011

Merpati Nusantara Airlines's aircraft MZ 539 has force-landed at the Haji Asan Sampit airport in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan due to engine failure.

"Our Fokker 100 departed from the Haji Asan Sampit airport to Surabaya at 1:07 p.m. but after seven minutes flying it found problem on its left engine," said Harianto, head of safety flight of the airport as quoted by Antara on Saturday.

The plane carried 101 passengers and cargo weighing 520 kilograms.

Harianto said that the plane managed to land safely at the airport despite the problem.

All passengers along with their luggage were unloaded from the troubled aircraft. The plane is now parked at the airport waiting from technicians from Jakarta to repair it.

"We don't know whether or not Merpati will replace the plane or repair it," he said.

Meanwhile, an officer with Merpati Nusantara's Sampit branch, Masykur, confirmed the flight cancellation.

"We won't replace the plane, but we will repair it. Now, we are still waiting for the technicians," he said.