Indonesian Air Force Sends Team to Investigate Acrobatic Plane Crash

By Azi Fitriyanti Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Air Force has sent an investigation team to find the cause of two Jupiter Aerobatic planes\' crash when conducting an exercise in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Sunday, spokesperson said. \"A team is already in Langkawi to investigate causes of the accident,\" said Indonesian Air Force\'s spokesperson Vice Marshal Hadi Tjahyanto here on Sunday. Tjahyanto explained the accident took place on Sunday at 2 p.m. local time when four KT-1B aerobatic planes made an overpass above the MIEC. Two aerobatic planes of the Air Force had their wings collided each other, causing them crashed. Tjahyanto said actually the Indonesian Air Force Aerobatic Team \"The Jupiters\" was scheduled to perform on Tuesday (March 17), the first day of the International Maritime and Air Show at the Mahsuri International Expo Center, Langkawi, Malaysia. The two pilots and two co-pilots of the planes survived after jumping by using parachutes. \"Thank God, they could save themselves,\" said Tjahyanto. The four pilots and co-pilots now are treated in Langkawi hospital, and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has visited them. Unfortunately, one of the Jupiter planes crashed on a residential house in Gelam village, Kedawang, slightly injuring two residents. The two victims were rushed to the Langkawi hospital, Berita Harian online media reported.(*)