Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA

Xian MA60

On 10 June 2013, a Xi ‘An MA60 aircraft registered PK-MZO was being operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airlines on a scheduled passenger flight as MZ 6517. The aircraft departed from Bajawa Airport (WATB) Nusa Tenggara Timur, at 0102 UTC to El Tari (WATT) Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur. On board this aircraft were 2 pilots, 2 flight attendants with 46 passengers consisted of 45 adults and 1 infant. The flight was the second sectors for the aircraft and the crew on that day. The first flight was from Kupang to Bajawa Airport. During the flight the Second in Command (SIC) acted as the Pilot Flying (PF) and the Pilot in Command (PIC) as the Pilot Monitoring (PM). The flight from the departure until commencing for approach was un-eventful. At 0122 UTC, the pilot made first communication with El Tari Control Tower controller (El Tari Tower) and reported their position was on radial 298° 110 Nm from KPG VOR and maintaining 11,500 ft. The pilot received information that the runway in use was 07 and the weather information (wind 110° 11 kts, visibility 10 km, weather NIL, cloud few 2,000 ft, temperature 30° C, dew point 22° C, QNH 1010 mbs and QFE 998 mbs). At 0133 UTC, the aircraft was on radial 297° 68 Nm from KPG VOR and the pilot ready to descend and approved by El Tari Tower to descend to 5,000 ft. At 0138 UTC, the pilot reported the aircraft was passing 10,500 ft and stated that the flight was on Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC). At 0150 UTC, the aircraft position was on left base runway 07 at 5 Nm from KPG VOR. The El Tari Tower had visual contact with the aircraft and issued a landing clearance with additional information that the wind condition was 120° at 14 kts, QNH 1010 mbs. At 0151 UTC, the pilot reported that their position was on final and the El Tari Tower re-issued the landing clearance. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) recorded that the left power lever was in the range of BETA MODE while the aircraft altitude was approximately 112 ft and followed by the right power lever at 90 ft until hit the ground. At 0154 UTC, the aircraft touched down at about 58 meters and halted on the runway at about 261 meters from the beginning of runway 07. The vertical deceleration recorded on FDR was 5.99 G and followed by - 2.78 G. After the aircraft stopped, the flight attendants assessed the situation and decided to evacuate the passengers through the rear main entrance door. One pilot and four passengers who seated on row number three, seven and eight suffered serious injury. On 11 June 2013, the aircraft was evacuated from the runway and moved to the Air Force hangar at 2100 UTC.

Casa 212 Aviocar

The Casa 212-200 aircraft registered PK-NCZ operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airlines on a scheduled flight from Langur to Larat, touched down at 224 meters from runway 09, was bouncing twice to the left of runway centre line, out of the runway and stopped at 607 meters from runway 09 touch down area as final position, and 15 meters to the left of runway edge. The Pilot Flying was First Officer, and after second bouncing, PIC took over, and he tried to bring the aircraft to the centre line of the runway without success. The aircraft continued rolled to the shoulder away from the runway and stopped at the final position. This is the second landing at Larat runway on the same day. There were 15 passengers, 3 children, one baby, Pilot In Command, two First Officers, one First Officer was Pilot Flying from Langur to Larat, one engineer on board. One passenger was serious injured, another one passenger minor injured.

Xian MA60

On 7 May 2011, an Xi ’An MA60 aircraft, registered PK-MZK was being operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airline as a scheduled passenger flight MZ 8968, from Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong, Papua Barat to Utarom Airport (WASK), Kaimana1, Papua Barat. The accident flight was part of series of flight scheduled for the crew. The aircraft departed from Sorong at 0345 UTC2 and with estimated arrival time in Kaimana at 0454 UTC. In this flight, the Second in Command (SIC) was as Pilot Flying (PF) and the Pilot in Command (PIC) as Pilot Monitoring (PM). On board the flight were 2 pilots, 2 flight attendants, 2 engineers and 19 passengers consisting of 16 adults, 1 child and 2 infants. The flight from Sorong was planned under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)3. The destination, Kaimana, 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 about 0425 UTC, after passing waypoint JOLAM the crew of MZ 8968 contacted Kaimana Radio and informed that the weather at Kaimana was raining, horizontal visibility of 3 to 8 kilometers, cloud Cumulonimbus broken at 1500 feet, south westerly wind at a speed of 3 knots, and ground temperature 29°C. The last communication with the crew of MZ 8968 occurred at about 0450 UTC. The flight crew asked whether there were any changes in ground visibility and the AFIS officer informed them that the ground visibility remained at 2 kilometer. The visual flight rules requires a visibility of minimum 5 km and cloud base higher than 1500 feet. The evidence indicates that during the final segment of the flight, both crew member were looking outside the aircraft to sight the runway. During this period the flight path of the aircraft varied between 376 to 585 feet and the bank angle increased from 11 to 38 degree to the left. The rate of descent then increased significantly up to about 3000 feet per minute and finally the aircraft impacted into the sea. The accident site was about 800 meters south west of the beginning of runway 01 or 550 meters from the coastline. Most of the wreckage were submerged in the shallow sea between 7 down to 15 meter deep. All 25 occupants were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed and submerged into the sea.

Boeing 737-300

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.

Boeing 737-300

Following an uneventful flight from Surabaya-Juanda Airport, the crew started a night approach to Ujung Pandang-Sultan Hasanuddin Airport (Makassar). On short final, at a height of 50 feet, the aircraft descended fast and landed nose first. A tyre burst on impact and the aircraft was stopped following a normal landing course. All 108 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair due to fuselage damages.

Fokker 100

PK-MJD was on passenger schedule flight from Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar with destination El Tari Airport, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. The flight number was Merpati 5840 and carried 94 person on board consist of 88 passengers including four children and four infants, two pilot and four flight attendant. A maintenance engineer was on-board in this flight. Acting as pilot flying was the Second in Command (SIC) while the Pilot in Command acted as Pilot Monitoring. On approach, the pilot selected landing gear to down position. The left main landing gear indicator light was showed red, its means that the left main landing gear was not in down position and unsafe for landing. The pilot reported to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for a go-around and requested an area for holding to solve the problem. The ATC gave a clearance to hold over Kupang bay. The pilot tried to solve the problem by conducting the procedure according to the emergency checklist, including selected the landing gear by alternate selector. The pilot then requested to the ATC to fly at low altitude over the airport and asked to the ATC to observe the landing gear condition. The pilot also asked through the company radio for an engineer on-ground to observe visually the landing gear condition. The pilot then returned to the holding area, repeated the procedure but unsuccessful. Both pilots and engineer had a discussion and decided to attempt un-procedural method to make the landing gear down. Prior making these efforts the pilot announced to the passengers about the problem and their attempts that might be unpleasant to the passengers. After all attempts to lower the landing gear had failed, the pilot decided to land with the left main landing gear in up position. The pilot also asked the flight attendant to prepare for an abnormal landing. The ATC were prepared the airport fire fighting and ambulance, and also contacted the local police, armed forces, and hospitals and asking for additional ambulances. The ATC then informed the pilot that the ground support was ready. On short final the pilot instructed ‘brace for impact’ and the FA repeated that instruction to all passengers. The aircraft touched down at the touch down zone on runway 07. The pilot flying held the left wing as long as possible and kept the aircraft on the centre line, and the pilot monitoring shut down both engines. The aircraft stopped at about 1,200 meters from the beginning of runway 07, on the left shoulder of the runway and the FA instructed to the passengers to keep calm and to evacuate the aircraft. The pilot continued the procedures for emergency. The evacuation was performed through all door and window exits. No one was injured on this serious incident.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

On the morning of Sunday, 2 August 2009, a de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, registered PK-NVC, operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airlines as flight number MZ-7960D, departed from Sentani Airport, Jayapura for Oksibil Airport. The flight was planned in accordance with the visual flight rules (VFR). There were 15 persons on board; two pilots, one engineer, 10 adult passengers and two infants. The estimated flight time was 50 minutes. The fuel on board was sufficient for 2 hours and 50 minutes flight time. About 15 minutes prior to the estimated time of arrival at Oksibil the crew of another aircraft informed the Twin Otter crew that the weather in the Oksibil area was partly cloudy. There were no further reports of radio transmissions from the Twin Otter, and it did not arrive at Oksibil. A search was initiated at the time the aircraft would have run out of fuel. On the morning of 4 August 2009, searchers located the wreckage of the Twin Otter at an elevation of about 9,300 feet about 6 Nm from Oksibil. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces, and all of the occupants were fatally injured.

Casa 212 Aviocar

After landing on wet runway 10/28 at Bandanaira Airport, the aircraft skidded then veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft came to rest, broken in two. All 18 occupants escaped with minor injuries. The accident occurred in heavy rain falls.

Fokker F27 Friendship

The crew was completing a local training flight at Surabaya-Juanda Airport, consisting of touch-and-go manoeuvres. While approaching the airport to complete the eighth landing, at an altitude of 500 feet, the aircraft rolled to the left then stalled and crashed in a pond located 3 km short of runway, bursting into flames. All three pilots were killed. Both captains were operating on Casa-Nurtanio CN-235 (IPTN) and making a transition to Fokker F27.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The crew was completing a positioning flight to Ilaga Airport. After touchdown, the twin engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Fokker F28 Fellowship

During the takeoff roll at Kendari-Wolter Monginsidi Airport, at Vr speed, the cargo door warning light illuminated on the cockpit panel. The captain decided to abort and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest 200 metres further. All 64 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Casa 212 Aviocar

The departure from Langgur was delayed for few hours due to technical problems with the right engine, so it was decided to ferry the airplane to Ambon for repairs. On final approach to Ambon-Pattimura Airport in light rain and mist, the aircraft stalled and crashed 270 metres short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

BAe ATP

On final approach to Tanjung Pandan-Buluh Tumbang Airport runway 36, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the aircraft rolled to the left to angle of 80°, lost height and crashed in a coconut grove located about 1,500 metres short of runway. Fifteen occupants were killed, among them four crew members, while all other occupants were rescued.

Casa 212 Aviocar

After landing at Kupang-El Tari Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, lost its left wing and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

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.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

En route from Bima to Ruteng, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in the Molo Strait off Rinca Island. All 14 occupants were killed.

Fokker F28 Fellowship

The approach to Semarang-Ahmad Yani Airport was completed by night and poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and strong winds. The aircraft landed too far down a wet runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a ravine, broken in three. All 85 occupants were evacuated, among them three passengers were injured.

Fokker F27 Friendship

On approach to Palu-Mutiara Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain falls. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kalora (690 metres high) located 8 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 12 occupants were killed.

Fokker F28 Fellowship

Following an uneventful flight from Ambon, the crew was cleared to descend to Sorong-Jefman Airport. On final, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to heavy rain falls and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. On short final, the aircraft struck a promontory located 3,000 feet short of runway 22. Upon impact, the left main gear was torn off and the aircraft crashed in shallow water. Two passengers were rescued while 41 other occupants were killed.

Casa-Nurtanio CN-235 (IPTN)

The crew initiated the descent to Bandung-Husein Sastranegara Airport and encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. Too low, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Puntang located about 25 km south of Bandung Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 31 occupants were killed.

Fokker F27 Friendship

The aircraft departed Ternate Airport at 0153LT on the second leg of a flight from Ambon to Manado. While descending by night to Manado-Sam Ratulangi Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Klabat located 15 km southeast of runway 36 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 13 occupants were killed. It was raining at the time of the accident and the mountain was shrouded in clouds.

Casa 212 Aviocar

The approach to Gorontalo-Jalaluddin Airport was initiated in thunderstorm activity with heavy rain falls. Too low, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain (1,500 meters high) located about 59 km from the airport. The wreckage was found about 30 meters below the summit. A passenger aged 80 died while all other occupants were rescued.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

After liftoff from Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine oversped. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft struck rocks then crashed in a ravine. All 17 occupants were injured.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

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.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

After takeoff from Samarinda, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in the sea few km offshore. All 17 occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

On final approach in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck trees, stalled and crashed in the jungle few km from the airport. All eight occupants were killed.

Casa 212 Aviocar

On approach to Naha Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to low clouds and rain falls. On final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck trees and crashed on a wooded and hilly terrain located few km from the airport. All 14 passengers were injured while both pilots were killed.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Mulia Airport for unknown reasons. Eight occupants were killed while 11 others were injured.

Vickers Viscount

The landing at Ambon-Pattimura Airport was completed in heavy rain falls. After landing, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to stop, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All 12 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The airplane departed Palu-Mutiara Airport on a charter flight to Tolitoli, carrying tourists. En route, the crew descended from 9,000 to 5,000 feet to offer a better view of the area to the passengers when the pilot realized he was facing a mountain. He elected to gain height but the aircraft struck tree tops located on the top of a cliff then stalled and crashed into a ravine. The wreckage was found few hours later. A crew member and nine passengers were rescued while 13 other occupants including both pilots were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Tanjung Santan Airport. There were no casualties.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located about 45 km east of Nabire. All 13 occupants have been killed.

Vickers Viscount

The crew just started the descent to Padang-Tabing Airport when the airport went out of control and crashed into the Mentawai Strait. Dew debris were found three days later about 120 km south of Padang. All 69 occupants were killed.

NAMC YS-11

The crew was engaged in a local training mission at Jakarta-Kemayoran Airport. After completing several touch-and-go manoeuvres with one engine voluntarily inoperative, the pilot-in-command made a new landing successfully. After rotation, during initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a gear-up and flaps-down configuration onto the runway before coming to rest. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area. No casualties.

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Genjem. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crashed in unknown circumstances. The occupant's fate remains unknown.