Merpati MA60 crashes in Indonesia, killing 27

A Merpati Nusantara Airlines Xian MA60 crashed Saturday near Kaimana Airport in Indonesia, killing all 21 passengers and six crew aboard.

Flight 8968 was en route from Sorong and was cleared for an approach to KNG's lone runway. According to Flight Safety Foundation's Aviation Safety Network, the aircraft crashed into the sea about 600 m. short of the runway. Citing the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, ASN reported that the "weather at the time of the approach was poor with heavy rain and strong winds."

The MA60, powered by PW127J engines, was built in 2008 but stored in Xian until delivery to Jakarta-based Merpati in December. The aircraft had operated just 615 hr. and 764 cycles, according to ASN. The MA60's flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered.

Merpati is a government-owned airline that has had 38 major crashes since 1971, including 22 that involved fatalities. Saturday's accident was its third crash in as many years. In 2010, a 737-300 skidded on landing at Rendani and ran off the runway, ending up in a creek (ATW Daily News, April 14, 2010); there were no fatalities but the aircraft was destroyed. In 2009, a Merpati Twin Otter disappeared in Papua and its wreckage was found two days later (ATW Daily News, Aug. 6, 2009); all 16 passengers and crew aboard were killed.