Banda Aceh - Medan

On April 4, 1987 at 02:40 PM, Banda Aceh - Medan experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-9, operated by Garuda Indonesian Airways, with the event recorded near Medan-Polonia North Sumatra.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

45 people were known to be on board, 23 fatalities were recorded, 22 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 51.1%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 37, passenger fatalities: 19, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. On final approach to Medan-Polonia Airport, pilots encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, turbulences and heavy rain falls. On final, the aircraft became unstable and lost height. The pilot increased engine power when the aircraft struck a television antenna, stalled and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. 23 occupants were killed while 22 others were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration PK-GNQ, MSN 47741, year of manufacture 1976.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 3.5717°, 98.6668°.