Flight History
On 13 October 2012, a Boeing 737-300 aircraft operated by PT. Sriwijaya Air was conducting a scheduled passenger flight from Polonia International Airport, Medan, to Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, with flight number SJY 021. On board were two pilots, four flight attendants, and 96 passengers. The Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying and the Second in Command (SIC) as Pilot Monitoring. The flight was the first of the day.
The flight from departure until the approach was uneventful and mostly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The pilot requested runway 33 for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, which was approved by Minang Approach. During descent, the pilots conducted an approach briefing for the ILS approach runway 33 according to the Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) chart. The pilots stated that the information on the approach chart reading “Tabbing (can be mistaken for Minangkabau Intl)” was absent during the briefing.
When the flight had established on the localizer, the PIC saw a runway at approximately 10° to the right. The pilot reported to Minang Approach that the runway was in sight and was instructed to contact Minangkabau Tower. The pilot intended to make a visual approach, disconnected the autopilot, and flew manually toward that runway. During the visual approach, the pilot assumed the localizer was incorrect as the runway was on the right side. The pilot continued the approach with landing gear down and flaps set to 40. The PIC also realized the rate of descent was about 1,700 feet per minute.
After landing, the pilot reported to Minang Tower that they had landed at Tabing Airfield. The passengers were completely disembarked safely.
Injuries and Damage
The report lists no injuries to persons and no damage to the aircraft or other property in the sections on Injuries to Persons, Damage to Aircraft, and Other Damage (all noted as none or unspecified).
Personnel Information
The PIC held an Airline Transport Pilot License with a Boeing 737 type rating. The SIC held a Commercial Pilot License with a Boeing 737 type rating. The Aerodrome Control Tower personnel information was also included in the report.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-300 with registration PK-CJT. It was powered by two engines. The report provides general aircraft information and engine details.
Meteorological and Airport Information
The report includes meteorological information but does not characterize weather as a factor. The intended destination, Minangkabau International Airport, has runways 15/33 with an ILS approach. Tabing Airfield is located approximately 4 nautical miles east-northeast of Minangkabau Airport.
Flight Recorders
Both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were recovered and their data were used in the investigation.
Conclusions and Contributing Factors
The investigation concluded that the contributing factors to this incident included unclear significant information in the photocopy of the ILS approach chart, which might have been missed. The report lists findings including that the pilots did not note the warning on the approach chart about confusing Tabing with Minangkabau.
Safety Actions and Recommendations
Safety actions were taken by PT. Sriwijaya Air and PT. Angkasa Pura II. Safety recommendations were issued to PT. Sriwijaya Air, AirNav Indonesia District Office Minangkabau Padang, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.