On 9th September, a Trigana Air ATR 42-500 aircraft sustained substantial damage after veering off the runway during an aborted takeoff at Serui Stevanus Rumbewas Airport in Indonesia.
The incident occurred around 08:35 WIT on Monday when the crew decided to abort the takeoff from runway 28 for reasons that are currently under investigation. The aircraft, with registration PK-YSP, skidded off the runway and came to a stop on the grass verge.
Thankfully, all 42 passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated from the aircraft.
Deputy Area Manager of Trigana Air, Irwan Rochendi, confirmed the incident and stated that there were no injuries among the passengers and crew. However, the aircraft sustained significant damage, requiring extensive repairs.
The exact cause of the runway excursion remains unclear, and authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the contributing factors. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has taken charge of the probe and will interview witnesses, examine the aircraft’s flight data recorders (FDRs), and review other relevant evidence to understand the sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Trigana Air is cooperating with the investigating authorities and has initiated an internal investigation to identify any potential safety lapses or operational issues. The airline has also expressed its relief that there were no injuries and has assured passengers of its commitment to safety and security.