Flight accident involving aircraft near Mount Burrangrang

21 fatalities • Mt Burangrang, Indonesia • Flight

An aircraft flying from Jakarta to Surabaya crashed into a mountain slope during its flight, resulting in the loss of all 21 people on board.

What happened

On the morning of the accident, an aircraft departed from Jakarta Airport at 10:09 local time. The scheduled route included stops in Bandung and Yogyakarta before reaching the final destination of Surabaya. During the initial stage of the flight, the crew maintained an altitude of 3,500 feet.

At 10:43 local time, the flight crew was granted clearance to ascend to 9,500 feet and were instructed to establish communication with Bandung Tower. Shortly after this ascent began, while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 5,400 feet, it collided with the western slope of Mt Burrangrang. Search efforts located the wreckage four days after the impact. The accident resulted in 21 fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the crash determined that the incident was driven by the pilot's decision to navigate over mountainous terrain despite having uncertain positioning. This maneuver was performed under weather conditions characterized by severely restricted visibility.

Probable cause

The pilot attempted to traverse mountainous areas without certain knowledge of the aircraft's position while operating in low-visibility weather.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1961-01-24 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Mt Burangrang, Indonesia?

An aircraft flying from Jakarta to Surabaya crashed into a mountain slope during its flight, resulting in the loss of all 21 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1961-01-24 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 21 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1961-01-24 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration PK-GDI, operated by Garuda Indonesian Airways, at Mt Burangrang, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot attempted to traverse mountainous areas without certain knowledge of the aircraft's position while operating in low-visibility weather.

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