Jakarta (ANTARA) - Air Commodore Fajar Adriyanto of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has been confirmed as one of the fatalities in a trainer plane crash in Bogor District, West Java, on Sunday.
TNI-AU Information Office Head Air Commodore I Nyoman Suadnyana on Sunday revealed the ill-fated aircraft as a Quicksilver GT500 microlight fixed-wing civilian trainer aircraft with registration code PK-S216 operated by the Indonesian Aerosports Federation (FASI).
He informed that the aircraft took off from Atang Sendjaja Airfield in Bogor at 9:08 a.m. local time. Contact with the flight was lost around 9:19 a.m., and the plane was later found crashed near the Astana cemetery.
"The two flight crews were promptly evacuated to the Air Force Hospital. However, Air Commodore Adriyanto was declared dead on arrival," Suadnyana stated while identifying Adriyanto as the pilot and Mr. Roni as the co-pilot in the flight.
The late air commodore currently remains at the Air Force Hospital for pre-funeral handling, while the crash site has been secured, according to the TNI-AU officer.
The aircraft took off for a routine flight proficiency training organised for PASI members, he said, adding that the aircraft was declared safe and all administrative procedures for the flight had been fulfilled.
The Indonesian Air Force expressed their utmost condolences for the air commodore's death. Suadnyana affirmed that Adriyaot's spirit and exemplary deeds will be an inspiration for future generations in defending Indonesia's sky.
According to the Indonesian Air Force, Air Commodore Fajar Adriyanto graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1992 and served in strategic positions, such as Commander of Air Squadron No. 3, Commander of Manuhua Airfield in Papua, and Head of Air Force Information Office.
Adriyanto was also one of the pilots involved in a 2003 incident when TNI-AU fighter jets intercepted and engaged in a stand-off with US Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet fighters over Bawean Island in the Java Sea for unauthorised entry to Indonesian territory.
