Manokwari

On 31 May 2017, a Boeing 737-300 aircraft registration PK-CJC was being operated by PT. Sriwijaya Air as a scheduled passenger flight from Hasanuddin Airport (WAHH), Makassar, South Sulawesi to Rendani Airport (WAUU), Manokwari, West Papua, with one transit stop at Domine Eduard Osok Airport (WASS) Sorong, West Papua. The flight was uneventful since the first departure from Makassar until commencing the approach at Manokwari. At 0815 LT (2315 UTC), the aircraft departed Sorong to Manokwari. On board in the flight were two pilots, four flight attendants and 146 passengers. On this flight, the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF) and the Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM). At 2331 UTC, the pilot made first contact to Rendani Tower controller and informed that the aircraft was descending from FL 230 (altitude 23,000 feet) and requested the weather information. The Rendani Tower controller informed to the pilot that the wind was calm, ground visibility 6 km, cloud FEW CB 1,400 feet, temperature and dew point 26/25°C. At 2336 UTC, Rendani Tower controller instructed to the pilot to descend to 11,000 feet and to report when on Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC). At 2338 UTC, the pilot informed that they were on VMC condition and passed altitude 13,000 feet while position was 32 Nm from ZQ NDB (Non-Directional Beacon). Rendani Tower controller instructed to fly maintain on visual condition, fly via overhead, descend to circuit altitude, join right downwind runway 35, and to report when overhead Manokwari. At 2344 UTC, the pilot reported that the aircraft was over Manokwari and Rendani Tower controller informed to the pilot that the visibility changed to 5 km. Two minutes later Rendani Tower controller instructed to the pilot to continue approach and to report on right base runway 35. At 2349 UTC, at approximately 600 feet, the PIC as PM took over control by called “I have control” and the SIC replied “You have control”. A few seconds later the pilot reported that the aircraft was on final runway 35, and Rendani Tower controller instructed to the pilot to report when the runway 35 insight. The pilot immediately replied that the runway was in sight and acknowledged by Rendani Tower controller who then issued landing clearance with additional information that the wind was calm and the runway condition wet. At approximately 550 feet, the PIC instructed the SIC turn on the wiper and reconfirmed to SIC that the runway was in sight. Between altitude 500 feet to 200 feet, the EGPWS aural warnings “Sink Rate” and “Pull Up” sounded. At 2350 UTC, the aircraft touched down and rolled on runway 35. The spoiler deployed and the pilot activated the thrust reversers. The crew did not feel significant deceleration. The aircraft stopped at approximate 20 meters from the end of runway pavement. After the aircraft stopped, the PIC commanded “Evacuate” through the Passenger Address (PA) system. The Rendani Tower Controller saw that the aircraft was overrun and activated the crash bell then informed the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) that there was an aircraft overrun after landing on runway 35. All the flight crew and passengers evacuated the aircraft and transported to the terminal building safely.

On 13 April 2010, a Boeing B737-300 aircraft registered PK-MDE was being operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airline as a scheduled passenger flight MZ 836, from Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, Sulawesi to Rendani Airport, Manokwari, Papua. It made a transit stop at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong, Papua. The aircraft departed from Makassar at 2010 UTC and landed at Sorong at 2214 UTC. The scheduled departure time from Sorong was 2235, but due to heavy rain over Manokwari, the departure was delayed for about two hours. The pilot in command was the pilot flying, and the copilot, who also held a command rating on the aircraft, was the support/monitoring pilot. The aircraft subsequently departed Sorong 2 hours and 43 minutes later, at 0118. The observed weather report issued by Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika (BMG) Manokwari for takeoff and landing at 0100 indicated that the weather was “continuous slight rain, horizontal visibility of 3 to 4 kilometers, cloud overcast cumulus-stratocumulus, westerly wind at 5 knots”. The aircraft’s dispatch release from Sorong indicated that the flight was planned under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The destination, Manokwari, had no published instrument approach procedure. Terminal area operations, including approach and landing, were required to be conducted under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR). At 0146 the crew made the first direct contact with Rendani Radio and reported their position as 14 Nm from Manokwari, and maintaining altitude 10,500 feet. Following this radio contact, Rendani Radio informed the crew that the weather was continuous slight rain, visibility 3 kilometers, cloud overcast with cumulus stratocumulus at 1,400 feet, temperature 24 degrees Celsius, QNH 1012 hectopascals. The transcript of the Rendani Radio communications with the aircraft indicated that controller then instructed the crew to descend and joint right downwind for runway 35, and to report when overhead the airport. Shortly after, the crew reported overhead the airport at 5,000 feet. The controller then instructed the crew to report when they were on final approach for runway 35. The crew acknowledged this instruction. At 0154 the crew reported that they were on final for runway 35. The controller informed them that the wind was calm, runway condition was wet and clear. The crew read back the wind condition and that the runway was clear, but did not mention the wet runway condition. According to the Rendani Airport Administrator’s report to the investigation, the aircraft was observed to make a normal touchdown on the runway at about 0155, about 120 meters from the approach end of runway 35. The report stated that the aircraft’s engine reverser sound was not heard during landing roll. Witnesses on board the aircraft also stated that the aircraft made a smooth landing, and the engine reversers were not heard during the landing roll. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the left about 140 meters from the end of runway 35, then overran the departure end of runway 35. At about 0156 it came to a stop 205 meters beyond the end of the runway in a narrow river; the Rendani River. The Observed Weather Report issued by BMG Manokwari for takeoff and landing at 0200 (4 minutes after the accident) indicated that the weather was continuous moderate rain, with a horizontal visibility of 4 kilometers, cloud overcast cumulus stratocumulus, south-westerly wind at 5 knots. The airport rescue and fire fighting unit was immediately deployed to assist the post crash evacuation. Due to the steep terrain 155 meters from the end of runway 35, the rescuers had to turn back and use the airport’s main road to reach the aircraft. The accident site was in an area of shallow muddy water surrounded by mangrove vegetation. The aircraft was substantially damaged. Nearby residents, police and armed forces personnel assisted the evacuation from the aircraft. The Rendani Airport Administrator reported that the passengers and crew members were evacuated and moved from the site by 0230. They were taken to the Manokwari General Hospital, and Manokwari Naval Hospital for further medical treatment.

During the takeoff roll from runway 13, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and crashed in a banana plantation. One of the pilot was killed while few other occupants were injured, some seriously. The aircraft was written off.

While approaching Bintuni Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the aircraft struck a mountain located few km from the airfield. All 22 occupants were killed.

While descending to Sorong-Jefman Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a cloud base at 500 feet. In such conditions, the crew was unable to locate the airport and decided to turn over the area to expect weather improvement. Due top fuel shortage and as the crew was unable to locate the airfield, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft east of the airport. All six crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.