Indonesia: Sumatra Air Crash Passengers Were Killed on Impact, Officials Believe

Government officials say the passengers aboard a CASA 212-200 airplane would not have survived its crash in North Sumatra last week, but an aviation expert said it was possible some perished while waiting to be rescued.

Initial reports from a search and rescue helicopter that spotted the aircraft, operated by Nusantara Buana Air, said the plane appeared relatively intact, which gave rise to hopes of survivors.

But further investigation showed the nose of the aircraft was smashed, the wings were broken and the fuselage had a long crack.

“Initially, there was the hope that the aircraft was still intact. But in reality, it was not. The aircraft suffered severe damage,” aviation expert Dudi Sudibyo said on Sunday.

He said that even if some of the passengers had managed to survive the initial impact in Thursday’s crash in Langkat district, they would have been unable to withstand the cold in the mountainous area.

“The nose of the aircraft was damaged and in that situation, we assume the pilots were seriously injured or killed,” Dudi said. “The airplane crashed at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters, so you can imagine how cold it is.”

Dudi said the search and rescue team was fast and efficient, but “it is unfortunate that the terrain was extraordinarily difficult and that the weather was poor, so that the helicopter could not approach.”

Vice Air Marshal Daryatmo, who heads the National Search and Rescue Agency, also said those on board probably died from the extreme impact.

Daryatmo said on Saturday that all the bodies were found in their seats, and there was no evidence suggesting an attempt to open the aircraft’s doors.

In Medan, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi said bad weather was to blame for the crash.

“Based on our preliminary conclusions, the crash of the plane, which was flying 14 passengers and four crew members crew to Kutacane in Aceh, was caused by bad weather,” Antara news agency quoted the minister as saying.

The plane appeared to have crashed amid thick fog and strong winds averaging up to 30 kilometers per hour, he said.

“The aircraft was airworthy and the pilot fit,” Freddy said.

All 18 bodies have been airlifted to Medan.

The plane took off from Medan at 7:28 a.m. on Thursday and went missing 35 minutes into its flight to Kutacane.

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