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61 fatalities

Aircraft 'Mamberamo' Strikes Mount Sibayak During Approach to Medan (PK-GVE)

Mt Sibayak, IndonesiaLanding (descent or approach)

On July 11, 1979, a Fokker F28 Fellowship (registration PK-GVE) operated by Garuda Indonesian Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Sibayak, Indonesia during landing or approach. 61 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: For unknown reasons, the crew started the descent prematurely and continued the approach below the glide, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. The lack of visibility was considered as a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A Fellowship aircraft named 'Mamberamo' struck Mount Sibayak while descending for an NDB approach to Medan's Polonia Airport at night. All 61 occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident

The aircraft, a Fellowship christened 'Mamberamo', departed Palembang Airport at 1732 local time on a scheduled flight to Medan. After being cleared for an NDB approach to runway 05 at Polonia Airport, the crew began a descent in limited visibility. While descending at an altitude of 5,560 feet during nighttime, the airplane impacted the slope of Mount Sibayak, which rises 2,194 meters above sea level and lies approximately 38 kilometers southwest of Medan-Polonia Airport. The collision totally destroyed the aircraft, and all 61 people on board were killed.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause was that, for reasons unknown, the crew initiated the descent prematurely and continued the approach below the glide path, leading to a controlled flight into terrain. The lack of visibility was cited as a contributing factor.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Jul 1979 Fokker F28 Fellowship accident near Mt Sibayak, Indonesia?

A Fellowship aircraft named 'Mamberamo' struck Mount Sibayak while descending for an NDB approach to Medan's Polonia Airport at night. All 61 occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Jul 1979 Fokker F28 Fellowship accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 61 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Jul 1979 involved a Fokker F28 Fellowship, registration PK-GVE, operated by Garuda Indonesian Airways, at Mt Sibayak, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

For unknown reasons, the crew started the descent prematurely and continued the approach below the glide, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. The lack of visibility was considered as a contributing factor.

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