"According to the preliminary estimation, engine failure was the cause of the incident. The pilot had reported about the damage situation and asked permission to leave the plane," said Hartind Asrin, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian air force`s Superhawk 200 jetfighter crashes in Kampar district, Riau, on Tuesday morning, likely due to the engine failure, an official said.
The ill-fated jetfighter`s pilot had reported about the plane`s condition before he left the plane using his emergency seat ejector, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense, Hartind Asrin, said here on Tuesday afternoon.
"According to the preliminary estimation, engine failure was the cause of the incident. The pilot had reported about the damage situation and asked permission to leave the plane," said Hartind.
The Indonesian air force is now investigating the cause of the 1980 made jetfighter accident.
"There are three possible factors that can cause a plane to crash, namely engine failure, human factor and weather condition, but according to the preliminary report, the crash is likely caused by an engine failure," he said.
A military jet fighter belonging to the Indonesian Air Force crashed on Jalan Amal, Pasar Putih, Kampar District, Riau Province, at 9.30 am local time on Tuesday.
"There were several planes which seemed to be conducting an exercise. But all of a sudden one of them looked smoky and dipped down followed by sound like lightening," an eye witness who refused to be named, said.
The witness said the plane`s pilot was able to get out of the plane from his ejector seat and fell into a pond not far from the location.
The pilot`s name is Reza Yori Prasetyo. He was helped and was taken to the village head`s house, he said.
Not long thereafter, hundreds of Air Force military personnel came to besiege the location and ban residents and journalists from coming close to the area.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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