Jakarta, (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) to conduct an investigation into the crash of a T-501 Golden Eagle fighter aircraft, according to Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.
The T-501 Golden Eagle fighter aircraft of the TNI AU crashed while participating in an air show at the Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta on Sunday.
"The TNI AU needs to conduct thorough investigation to identify the cause of the crash as the ill-fated trainer aircraft was new , and we also heard that its pilot was very experienced," the cabinet secretary revealed at the State Palace here on Monday.
Anung said it was necessary to unearth whether the cause of the accident was due to human error or a technical problem.
Chief of the TNI AU's Information Center Commodore Dwi Badarmanto noted at a press briefing here on Sunday that the South Korean-made aircraft was delivered to Indonesia in 2013, and it was relatively new.
The aircraft, which was manufactured by Korean Aero Industries (KAI), was procured to strengthen the Air Squadron 15 based at the Iswahjudi Air Base in Madiun, East Java, he noted.
"We do not exactly know the cause of the crash. However, we have formed a team of investigators to look into the crash. We will also involve the KAI in the investigation process," he emphasized.
The aircraft crashed in a plantation area, killing its pilot and co-pilot. The crash site is not far from the airport.
Following the accident, the authorities decided to stop the air show, which was being held since Saturday.(*)
