TNI Air Force Plane Crashes In Riau, Ministry Of Defense Asked To Audit Alutsista

Illustration of a BAE Hawk 209 fighter aircraft (Photo: Twitter @_TNIAU)

JAKARTA - A fighter plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force, a BAE Hawk 209 type, crashed around a residential area in Kampar, Riau. As a result of this incident, a number of parties asked the Ministry of Defense to conduct an audit.

This Hawk 209 plane crashed around residential areas around 08.13 WIB. The aircraft registered with the number TT-0209 was manned by the pilot Lettu Pnb Apriyanto Ismail departed from Air Squadron 12 Roesmin Lanud (Rsn) Pekanbaru.

"The location of the incident is 5 kilometers from runway 36 Lanud Rsn Pekanbaru. The pilot managed to eject himself from the plane using an ejection seat and was safe," said the Head of Information Service (Kadispen) of the Indonesian Air Force Marsma Fajar Adriyanto in his statement, Monday, June 15.

Pilot Lettu Pnb Apriyanto Ismail managed to survive using the ejection seat when the BAe Hawk 209 aircraft tail number TT-0209 experienced technical problems before landing on runway 36 Lanud Rsn Pekanbaru. 👤 # TNIAU #swabhuwanapaksa #jauhdilangitneardihati # hawktt0209 pic.twitter.com/qDJIaavvYv

- Indonesian Air Force (@_TNIAU) June 15, 2020

Currently Lettu Pnb Apriyanto is undergoing further examination at RSAU dr Soekirman Lanud Roesmin Nurjadin Pekanbaru.

Executive Director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISSES) Khairul Fahmi said many factors could cause the plane to crash. To know for sure, it is necessary to do a thorough and in-depth investigation.

"However, I think that the causes could be several things. Among them, such as weather factors, then human error, or then our speculation most often is about how maintenance and maintenance are carried out," Fahmi told reporters in Jakarta, Monday, June 15th.

He considered, before being flown, of course this aircraft had passed due diligence and was operated by competent personnel. So, Fahmi was more interested in knowing more about the maintenance and maintenance carried out on the aircraft.

"Because maintenance is of course related to the readiness of the tool to be displayed and used at any time. Then, if this pet is related to what is the tool, then can it be operated optimally and effectively? So, yes, we have to ask then how is the routine maintenance done," he said.

He also questioned whether the treatment had been implemented in a disciplined manner and according to operational standards or not. So, to answer this question there needs to be further investigation.

"Of course it is important for us to get clearer information. Whether the aircraft is in combat ready condition and what is the competence of its personnel," he said.

The Ministry of Defense must audit the TNI's defense equipment

Meanwhile, Member of Commission I DPR RI Willy Aditya said it was time for the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) to audit the defense equipment owned by the TNI. This is very important as a measure to strengthen the national defense system.

Moreover, this is not the first time this has happened. Previously, a Mi-17 military helicopter crashed and crashed in Kendal, Central Java.

“The Hawk 209 is actually designed as a light combat training aircraft. The first crash of 1986's Hawk 200 trials occurred due to blackout and disorientation. Indeed, there have been many developments until 2002. As users we need to check all the defense equipment we use, "he said in his written statement.

The development of technology, he continued, is also the reason for the Ministry of Defense to conduct a study of the defense system equipment used in Indonesia. "The weapons that Indonesia has need to be readjusted with the reading of the current situation regarding defense threats," said Willy.

"This defense system audit is urgent to do because of course the development of defense threats is constantly changing. The equipment and equipment used by our TNI must adapt to the current situation, including the aircraft used. This successive incident should receive serious attention, "he added.

An audit of defense equipment must also be carried out immediately. The reason is so that the DPR can approve an additional budget for the provision of defense equipment.

"I think the DPR will approve the addition of the defense equipment budget if a comprehensive audit is carried out, including the results of the investigation of a number of defense equipment. So the budget issued has a strong basis," said the NasDem politician.

Willy also urged the TNI to grounded or prohibit Hawk 200 aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters. This is because Indonesia has many planes and helicopters of this type. This prohibition needs to be done until the results of the investigation of the cause of the accident can be known.

He said that the DPR would provide support for the Ministry of Defense and the TNI if necessary to ask for responsibility for this aircraft manufacturer. This is important, Willy said, to be done in order to show that Indonesia is a critical consumer of the manufactured products they use.

"If they don't want to be responsible, yes, just replace it with a more responsible producer," he concluded.