Fertilizer plane crashes in Lampung, killing its pilot

The Jakarta Post, Bandar Lampung | Archipelago | Sat, May 11 2013, 5:54 PM

A light plane used to spray fertilizer for oil palm plantations in Mesuji regency, Lampung, has crashed, killing its pilot.

The crash took place at 11 a.m. when the Fletcher FU 24-950 plane belonging to PT Sumber Indah Perkasa (SIP) was about to take off, Lampung Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr Sulistyaningsih said.

"The plane suddenly came down about three minutes after it tried to take off," Sulistyaningsih said as quoted by Antara news agency.

The pilot, Muhammad Adipura, 46, died at the accident site due to severe injuries to his head and legs.

Yusuf, a local village head, said Adipura's body was immediately rushed to Menggala Hospital in Tulang Bawang regency, before it was later transported to the Lampung capital of Bandar Lampung for a post-mortem examination.

He explained that PT SIP was a big plantation company that frequently used planes to spray fertilizer throughout its vast palm plantation areas. (nai)