Police Investigates Trainer Aircraft Crash Site

Sumenep, E Java (Antara) - The Sumenep local police are investigating the crash site of a trainer aircraft belonging to Merpati Pilot School in a paddy field of Marengan Daya Village on Friday. "It is our duty to secure the crash site, so that no evidence is moved or goes missing for the purpose of aviation investigation," Sumenep Police Chief Adjunct Police Commissary Marjoko stated here on Friday. At the time of crash, the trainer aircraft was flown solo by a trainee pilot Haris Yondi. "We will stop any unauthorized personnel from going close to the crash site, so that the plane debris is not moved or goes missing from the investigation site. The position of the crashed plane and all the debris must not be changed," Marjoko emphasized. Currently, the crash site is covered by a tarpaulin sheet, and police lines have been set around the perimeter. The debris, which is assumed to be part of the plane, was also seen scattered on the eastern side of the plane's body. The crash site of the trainer aircraft is located on the eastern part of Trunojoyo Airport, Sumenep. Since late 2010, the Trunojoyo airport has been used as a flight training location for the students of Merpati Pilot School. Currently, the local citizens are congregating at the crash site of the trainer aircraft in the paddy fields of the Marengan Daya Village to catch a glimpse of the ill-fated plane. The pilot of the plane, Haris Yondi, died in the incident. "Haris Yondi a student from Waru, Sidoarjo (East Java) was the only person on the board," according to head of Trunojoyo airstrip working unit, Dwi Ariyanto. (*)