Narrative:
On approach, the aircraft struck electrical power lines and crashed short of the runway. The aircraft broke up and the tail section separated from the main fuselage, which was immediately engulfed in fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Possible windshear.
Loss of control
» Aviation Letter 246
» Flight International 11 April 1987
| Status: | |
| Date: | Saturday 4 April 1987 |
| Time: | 14:40 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 |
| Operator: | Garuda Indonesia Airways |
| Registration: | PK-GNQ |
| MSN: | 47741/836 |
| First flight: | 1976 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 8 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 19 / Occupants: 37 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 45 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Medan-Polonia Airport (MES) ( Indonesia)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Banda Aceh-Blang Bintang Airport (BTJ/WITT), Indonesia |
| Medan-Polonia Airport (MES/WIMM), Indonesia | |
| Flightnumber: | GA035 |
On approach, the aircraft struck electrical power lines and crashed short of the runway. The aircraft broke up and the tail section separated from the main fuselage, which was immediately engulfed in fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Possible windshear.
Classification:
Windshear/downdraftLoss of control
Sources:
» A Benefit Analysis for Cabin Water Spray Systems and Enhanced Fuselage Burnthrough Protection (CAA PAPER 2002/04)» Aviation Letter 246
» Flight International 11 April 1987
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Banda Aceh-Blang Bintang Airport to Medan-Polonia Airport as the crow flies is 419 km (262 miles).
Distance from Banda Aceh-Blang Bintang Airport to Medan-Polonia Airport as the crow flies is 419 km (262 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
languages: 
Indonesia
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DC-9-30
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- 38th loss
- 27th fatal accident
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Indonesia- 14th worst accident (at the time)
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