Incident Overview
While descending to Surakarta-Adisumarmo Airport, the flight crew received information about stormy conditions at the destination, including cumulonimbus clouds, heavy rain, and a ceiling of 1,500 feet. The crew continued the approach and landed on runway 26.
Landing and Runway Overrun
After touchdown, the crew initiated braking and deployed the thrust reversers. The runway was wet, and the aircraft could not stop within the available distance. It overran the runway, lost its undercarriage, and slid for several dozen meters. During the slide, it struck localizer antenna equipment and a fence before coming to rest in a cemetery.
Occupants and Injuries
The aircraft carried occupants including both pilots and passengers. The accident resulted in the deaths of both pilots and 23 passengers. Additionally, 70 other occupants sustained injuries, while 68 occupants escaped unharmed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Identified Findings
Official investigation findings included the following: approximately 3 mm of water was present on the runway surface, which reduced braking action. The crew executed the landing with a 13-knot tailwind component. After touchdown, the airbrakes deployed but retracted a few seconds later due to incorrect positioning of the power levers. The power levers were not in the idle position after touchdown but were slightly forward, causing the flight computer to increase engine power. Heavy rainfall was also a factor. Additionally, the crew did not initiate a go-around procedure.