President Yudhoyono Gets Fokker Crash Report

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday received a detailed report about the Air Force Fokker-27 plane that crashed near Halim Perdanakusuma airport last week on Thursday. "The Air Force chief of staff reported the chronology of the Fokker-27 crash to the President. But the investigation into the cause of the crash is still under way, so let us wait and see. It is all related to aircraft maintenance, but it has been decided that all Fokker-27 planes will be grounded," National Defence Forces (TNI) Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono said. Agus made the statement after attending a meeting with President Yudhoyono at Halim Perdanakusuma airport. "Two CN-295 planes, manufactured by PT Dirgantara Indonesia, will be handed over to the Air Force in the next few months, which will replace the Fokker-27 planes that have been in use since 1977," he said. The TNI chief added that the Air Force would subsequently get 10 more CH-295 planes. Meanwhile, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Imam Sufaat also confirmed that the Fokker-27 planes would be replaced with CN-295. When asked about the investigation into the cause of the Fokker-27 crash, Iman said it was still ongoing, although it was suspected to have been caused by engine failure.(*)