What happened
On 27 August 2008, a Boeing 737-200, registration PK-CJG, was performing a scheduled passenger service from Jakarta to Jambi. The flight, operated by Lion Air, carried 124 passengers and six crew members. During the descent toward Sultan Thaha Airport, the crew experienced a hydraulic system A low pressure warning and a zero quantity indication. Despite this, the pilot decided to proceed with the landing on runway 3 and configured the aircraft with flap 15°.
During the landing roll, the pilot encountered difficulties engaging the thrust reversers and relied on manual braking. The crew noted a loss of deceleration during the rollout. The aircraft drifted from the centerline and exited the end of the runway, coming to a stop in a field approximately 120 meters beyond the runway threshold. During the excursion, the aircraft struck three farmers; one fatality and two serious injuries were reported among the individuals on the ground.
Following the impact, the aircraft suffered significant structural damage, including the detachment of both engines and the main landing gear. The crew encountered several malfunctions, including the inability to shut down the engines and APU via the fire levers, and the failure of the speed brake lever to extend. During the evacuation, passengers began exiting through over-wing windows before an official command was given. Despite the left aft door being blocked by the landing gear, all 130 people on board successfully evacuated the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of hydraulic system A pressure during the approach phase.
- The pilot's decision to fly a glide path slightly below normal to increase landing distance contributed to the excursion.
- The aircraft's deceleration was compromised by the inability to effectively use thrust reversers and the subsequent loss of braking effectiveness.