Failed To Fly To Surabaya, This Is Lion Air's Explanation Regarding Incidents In The Aircraft Cab

Lion Air aircraft/ Photo: Bitor Ekin Putra

The Lion Air JT-693 flight route Kupang Surabaya is constrained by the emergence of smoke from one of the passenger's cellphones on the plane ahead of taking off at Eltari Airport, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (KOE), Sunday, February 26.

Responding to the issue, Lion Air (flight code JT) member of Lion Air Group explained that operational handling and aircraft passengers with flight number JT-693 had been implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP).

Lion Air will operate registration for a PK-LQS Boeing 737-900ER aircraft carrying 163 passengers. Before the flight departure at 06.15 WITA (GMT+08). that's Lion Air's explanation in an official statement received, Sunday afternoon, February 25.

Then, it was explained that Lion Air had carried out procedures to ensure flight safety and security, including:

1. Examination of the initial aircraft (pre-flight procedure) thoroughly by technicians and pilots to ensure that all aircraft systems and components function and work properly. As a result, the aircraft is airworthy and safe to operate (airworthy for flight).

2. The handling and inspection of all passengers is carried out by security officers.

3. Handling cargo and luggage. After the process of boarding passengers (boarding) is complete, all passengers have sat and the plane is pushed back (pushback) to prepare for the runway.

The results of the Lion Air investigation, the incident began when one of the passengers sitting at number 9D admitted that the cellphone emitted smoke. Then the cellphone was thrown to the cabin floor. In an effort to ensure flight safety and security, senior cabin crew immediately contacted the pilot.

The right decision, the pilot stopped the movement of the plane and decided to return to the plane parking area in its original position. According to initial information, suddenly one of the passengers sitting near the left emergency exit window opened an emergency window. Due to this condition, all passengers are directed to get off the plane and return to the waiting room (boarding gate) to get more information." he explained.

There were no injuries in this incident. An investigation team from the Indonesian civil aviation authorities and Lion Air is in the process of investigating to determine the exact cause of this incident. Currently, the cellphone is in the examination stage by a team of experts to determine according to the safety standards set by flight regulators.

Lion Air emphasized that his party would not speculate about the cause of the burning of cellphones on the plane until the investigation process in accordance with flight regulations was completed.

Aircraft checks and investigations cannot be carried out quickly and instantly. As a result, there was a delay in flight departures for the Kupang route to Surabaya and Surabaya to Jakarta.

Lion Air reminded all passengers to always follow flight crew instructions and not carry potentially dangerous items in the aircraft cabin.