Assisting The Search For Sriwijaya Air SJ-182 Aircraft, Indonesian Air Force Prepare Helicopters And Fix Wing Aircraft

ILLUSTRATION / Sriwijaya Air (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Air Force (AU) has prepared helicopters and planes to help search for the Sriwijaya SJ-182 plane that crashed in the waters of Pulau Seribu after losing contact at around 14.30 WIB.

"Responding to the loss of contact with the Sriwijaya Air SJ 128 route from Jakarta to Pontianak, according to the TNI Commander's instructions, the Indonesian Air Force has alerted helicopters and fixed wing aircraft to support search and rescue operations," said Kadispenau Marsma TNI Indan Gilang B in a written statement quoted on Saturday, January 9th.

The helicopters prepared were the Super Puma NAS-332 helicoter from the 6th Air Squadron and the EC-725 Caracal from the 8th Air Squadron Atang Sendjaja Bogor Air Base. In addition, SAR personnel from Korpaskhas have also been alerted.

"The Indonesian Air Force is also preparing a Boeing 737 maritime surveillance fixed wing aircraft from the 5th Air Squadron of Sultan Hasanudin Makassar Base and CN-295 Air Squadron 2 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base Jakarta," he said.

Previously reported, the Sriwijaya Air SJ-182 aircraft on the Jakarta-Pontianak route reportedly lost contact at around 14:44 WIB. Furthermore, this plane is confirmed to crash around Lancang Island and Laki Island, Thousand Islands.

Regarding this aircraft, based on data from flightradar24, the Sriwijaya Air plane for the Jakarta-Pontianak route departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten at 14.36 WIB and the estimated arrival was scheduled at 15.15 WIB.

There are also 50 passengers and 12 crew of Sriwijaya Air SJ-182 aircraft. Of the total passengers, there are 7 children and 3 babies.