Flight accident near Tegal involving charter aircraft

6 fatalities • Tegal, Indonesia • Flight

A charter flight traveling from Singapore to Jakarta crashed in a prairie near Tegal after the crew became lost and ran low on fuel.

What happened

A charter flight operating between Singapore and Jakarta experienced a critical loss of navigation approximately four hours into its journey. During the flight, the captain determined that the aircraft had deviated from its intended path and was no longer on the correct route. As the aircraft's fuel levels reached a critical state, the pilot descended to a lower altitude in an attempt to perform an emergency landing.

Before the landing could be completed, the aircraft type crashed into a prairie area situated near Tegal, which is located roughly 260 km southeast of the flight's original destination. The accident resulted in six fatalities, including the pilot and five passengers, while three others sustained injuries during the impact.

Findings

Investigations into the crash identified that the crew lost their sense of orientation during the flight. This disorientation was likely triggered by a malfunctioning or inaccurate compass reading, which prevented the crew from maintaining the proper course. The necessity for an emergency landing was driven by the exhaustion of available fuel reserves.

Probable cause

The crew's loss of situational awareness, likely caused by a faulty compass, led to navigational errors and subsequent fuel exhaustion.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-02-01 Douglas DC-6 accident near Tegal, Indonesia?

A charter flight traveling from Singapore to Jakarta crashed in a prairie near Tegal after the crew became lost and ran low on fuel.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-02-01 Douglas DC-6 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-02-01 involved a Douglas DC-6, registration XW-PEH, operated by PENAS (PT. Survai Udara Penas Persero), at Tegal, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's loss of situational awareness, likely caused by a faulty compass, led to navigational errors and subsequent fuel exhaustion.

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