Merpati Nusantara Airlines Xian MA-60 plane crash
Kaimana, Indonesia
Updated on
The Xian MA-60 operated by Merpati Nusantara took off from Sorong, Indonesia, for a domestic flight to Kaimana, Indonesia. 21 passenger (including two airline technicians) and 4 crewmembers were onboard. The plane impacted water while on final approach on its destination airport. All the 25 occupants perished in the crash.
The airplane was holding for about 15 minutes before commencing the approach. The Chinese-built aircraft last reported its position about 15 NM (27 km) before touchdown and was on final approach to Kaimana's runway 19 when the aircraft impacted the ocean about 1800 ft (600 meters) before the runway threshold. The impact broke up the plane in two major parts. Then, the wreckage sank almost immediately.
At the time of the accident, the weather was bad as there was heavy rainfall and thick fog. Reduced visibility was reported, with about 4000 meters.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines is currently on the blacklist of airlines banned from flying in the European Union.