At approximately 7 a.m. local time on March 7, 2007, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a Boeing 737-400 on approach from Jakarta, Indonesia, crashed after touch-down. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft was traveling at too high a speed to land successfully, thus causing the aircraft to overshoot the runway and consequentially lead to fuselage destruction and post crash fire. Reported casualties at this time range from 21 to 23, including one crew member. Most of the remaining 115+ passengers were able to escape the billowing smoke and flames without major injuries, but some suffered burns and broken bones. The passengers Flight 200 were primarily Indonesian, but a group of Australian officials and journalists were on board; five of which are feared to be among the dead.
Moments before the plane touched down, passengers report that the aircraft shook violently and then “bounced” on the tarmac. Eye witnesses state that the wheels of the Boeing 737-400 first landed about one third of the way down the Yogyakarta runway, which is known for being relatively short. Apparently, unable to compensate for the high speed, the aircraft overshot the runway, broke through a fence, crossed a road, hit a bank and culvert, where it exploded into a fire ball, and then came to rest approximately 200 meters into a rice field.
Some reports cite three separate explosions, each further reducing the nine year old aircraft into a smoldering shell. It appears at this time that the nose of the airplane, including the cockpit and first ten rows of seats, was torn from the remaining portion of the gutted fuselage. The tail fin of the aircraft seems to be the only portion which remains intact.
Indonesian and Australian officials are already on-site investigating and a team from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been deployed to aid in the investigation of this terrible accident. Officials who have visited the crash site have ruled out an act of terrorism as a potential cause of this crash. The Motley Rice Aviation team is currently investigating this accident and the legal responsibility that Garuda Airlines, the Yogyakarta airport and Boeing may have to the victims and survivors of this terrible tragedy.
If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to injury or wrongful death as a result of this accident, please contact Motley Rice Aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mary Schiavo at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French, Portuguese and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this air crash, click here. |
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