"We will wait for the results of the investigation by KNKT experts. We must remain procedural."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi called on all sides to wait for the results of the official investigation before making any judgment regarding the airworthiness of the Merpati Nusantara Airlines plane that crashed in Papua recently.
"Let us wait for the results of the investigation and only after that can d we make a judgment. If we judge too fast, it will be too premature. The aircraft is being used in many other countries . It is also possible, the tragedy was was caused by bad weather, I think. Based on the results of the investigation by KNKT (national committee for flight safety) we will also know about the results of the examination of the contents of the flight recorder as well as data recorder. From there can will be able to make a complete judgment," he said here on Monday.
He said the contract for the plane`s purchase was signed in 2005.
"It was done after several evaluations were made and then an agency dealing with airworthiness determined whether or not the aircraft was airworthy and certainly also upon consideration of other countries` experience. So I thing we had better wait. An overhasty statement will be premature and therefore incorrect. Let the investigation reveal what was the real cause," he said.
Freddy denied speculations that the procurement of the MA-60 was problematic and had been challenged by a number of parties. The minister said, only after the investigation results were known was it possible to judge the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Out of a total of 15 MA60s ordered by the airline, 13 were now already in operation while the rest was still to be delivered, he said.
"We will see the results of the evaluation, what the technical evaluation results will be like," he said.
State Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar also shared Freddy`s view that all sides should wait for the results of the investigation before making any judgment.
"We will wait for the results of the investigation by KNKT experts. We must remain procedural. We must follow procedures when dealing with an incident. We have to wait for the results of the investigation by KNKT and we will push the KNKT to immediately announce the results of its investigation so that we can formulate our stand on the matter," he said.
Mustafa said he had already communicated with Merpati to assure that such an incident would not happen again in the future.
"Certainly. Even today we met (with the management). Before we have already asked them to keep consolidating themselves, improve all sectors so that no incident like that would happen again in the future," he said.
The Merpati Airlines MA 60 crashed while flying from Sorong to Kaimana in West Papua killing 27 passengers and crew on board. The plunge from a height of 15,000 feet into the sea while before landing at the Kaimana airport.
(T.P008/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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