... we do appreciate the Indonesian Military`s quick response in handling the unfortunate F-16 problem."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A Citilink Indonesia aircraft serving the Jakarta-Malang route took off following a 30-minute delay, as the engine of an F-16 fighter jet caught fire at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here on Thursday, a spokesman said.
Passengers of the low-cost airlines aircraft were notified of the 30-minute delay to keep them abreast of the situation, Vice President of Corporate Communications of Citilink Indonesia Benny Siga Butarbutar told ANTARA News.
"However, regular flight operations have now been resumed from the airport, and we do appreciate the Indonesian Militarys quick response in handling the unfortunate F-16 problem," Butarbutar stated.
Lieutenant Colonel Firman Dwi Cahyono, who was piloting the F-16 Fighting Falcon that failed to take off due to an engine fire, survived the accident but sustained minor injuries on his left hand.
Cahyono, who has clocked more than 2,000 flight hours on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, survived the accident by ejecting from the airplane.
The 35-year-old fighter jet was one of the four F-16s being used in a training to secure the upcoming events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, due to be held in Jakarta and Bandung, West Java, from April 19 to 24.
(Reported by Juwita Trisna Rahayu/Uu.R013/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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