Two Brazilian-made EMB-314 Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft, belonging to the 21st Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force, crashed on November 16 in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, killing four officers . Adverse weather conditions are cited as a factor in the incident.

Crash of two Super Tucanos in Indonesia, 4 officers killed

On November 16, two Brazilian-made EMB-314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft belonging to the 21st Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) crashed in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java. The Air Force Accident Rapid Response Team (AQRT) was dispatched to the scene. Unfortunately, this incident cost the lives of four officers. The planes, with tail numbers TT-3111 and TT-3103, were lost from sight shortly after taking off from Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base in Malang. Inclement weather conditions were cited as a factor in the incident. The two Tucanos were flying in formation with two other similar aircraft under adverse weather conditions which significantly limited the pilots’ visibility. Out of concern for safety, two of the planes attempted to separate from the formation by climbing above the clouds, but contact was lost with the others.

Establishment of an investigation following the crash

The AQRT is conducting an initial investigation into the crash. The objective is to analyze technical and operational aspects to identify causes and implement corrective measures to prevent future incidents. According to the Chief of the Air Force Information Service, Marsma TNI R. Agung Sasongkojati, the incident occurred during a routine training exercise at around 11:18 a.m. local time. After the disappearance of the two Super Tucanos, the other planes returned safely to the Malang base. A total of three Super Tucanos have crashed so far, leaving 13 planes remaining since they were shipped from Brazil in 2012.