Accident Details
On 13 April 2010, a Boeing B737-300 aircraft registered PK-MDE operated by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airline as scheduled passenger flight MZ 836 departed from Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar, Sulawesi, with a transit stop at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong, Papua, destined for Rendani Airport, Manokwari, Papua. The aircraft departed Makassar at 2010 UTC and landed at Sorong at 2214 UTC. The scheduled departure from Sorong was 2235 but was delayed for about two hours due to heavy rain over Manokwari. The pilot in command was the pilot flying; the copilot, who also held a command rating, was the support/monitoring pilot. The aircraft departed Sorong at 0118 UTC, 2 hours and 43 minutes late.
Weather and Flight Plan
The observed weather report issued by BMG Manokwari for takeoff and landing at 0100 indicated continuous slight rain, horizontal visibility of 3 to 4 kilometers, overcast cumulus-stratocumulus clouds, and westerly wind at 5 knots. The flight was planned under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), but Manokwari had no published instrument approach procedure; terminal area operations were required to be conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Approach and Landing
At 0146 UTC, the crew first contacted Rendani Radio, reporting position 14 Nm from Manokwari at 10,500 feet. Rendani Radio advised weather: continuous slight rain, visibility 3 km, overcast cumulus-stratocumulus at 1,400 feet, temperature 24°C, QNH 1012 hPa. The controller instructed the crew to descend and join right downwind for runway 35, then report overhead. The crew reported overhead at 5,000 feet. The controller instructed them to report on final. At 0154 UTC, the crew reported on final for runway 35. The controller reported calm wind, wet and clear runway condition. The crew read back wind and clear runway but did not mention the wet condition.
Landing and Overrun
According to the Rendani Airport Administrator's report, the aircraft made a normal touchdown on the runway at about 0155 UTC, approximately 120 meters from the approach end of runway 35. Witnesses on board stated the landing was smooth; engine reverser sound was not heard during the landing roll. During the roll, the aircraft veered left about 140 meters from the runway end, then overran the departure end of runway 35. At about 0156 UTC, it came to a stop 205 meters beyond the runway in the narrow Rendani River.
Post-Accident Response
The observed weather report at 0200 UTC (4 minutes after the accident) indicated continuous moderate rain, visibility 4 km, overcast cumulus-stratocumulus, south-westerly wind at 5 knots. The airport rescue and fire fighting unit deployed immediately. Due to steep terrain 155 meters from the runway end, rescuers had to use the airport's main road to reach the aircraft. The accident site was in shallow muddy water with mangrove vegetation. The aircraft was substantially damaged. Nearby residents, police, and armed forces assisted evacuation. The Rendani Airport Administrator reported that passengers and crew were evacuated and moved from the site by 0230 UTC, then taken to Manokwari General Hospital and Manokwari Naval Hospital for medical treatment.