Indonesian plane carrying 18 people crashes in North Sumatra

Indonesian plane carrying 18 people crashes in North Sumatra

2011-09-29 19:47:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- A medium-sized passenger plane with 18 people on board crashed in the western region of Indonesia on early Thursday morning, officials said.

The turboprop-powered Casa C-212 Aviocar belonging to PT Nusantara Buana Air had taken off from Polonia Airport in Medan of North Sumatra province when it crashed in the Bahorok area of Langkat District, located in the same province. The aircraft was heading to Southeast Aceh.

With 14 passengers and four crew members, including the pilot, co-pilot, and two technicians, the aircraft took off from Polonia Airport at around 7:30 a.m. local time and was scheduled to reach its destination at 8 a.m., Southeast Aceh District Air Transportation chief Basri told the Antara news agency.

However, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft and preliminary information indicates it crashed near the village of Bukit Lawang in Mount Kapun in the Bahorok District of the province. Search and rescue teams have reportedly reached the crash site, but no official information has been released whether anyone survived the accident.

The crew of the aircraft was identified as pilot Kamal, co-pilot Budiono, and technicians Nico M and Foo Sutopo. The fourteen passengers include ten adults, two children and two babies whose names have not been released.

The Casa C-212 Aviocar is a medium-sized transport aircraft designed and built in Spain for civil and military use.

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