Ground witnesses on Bintan Island in Indonesia say that the SABANG MERAUKE AIR CHARTER Casa 212 Aviocar that crashed yesterday afternoon, was circling for several minutes before going down. Investigators have not commented on the report, but aviation experts said that suggests the crew may have been trying to address a mechanical problem or looking for a suitable place to attempt an emergency landing. All 5 crew members onboard the Aviocar were killed when it crashed near Malang Meetings Village. Indonesia's NTSC has opened an investigation and said that 3 investigators were on scene. According to a statement, it has been difficult removing the victims from the wreckage due to the nose and wings being under 4 metres of swamp water and mud. The NTSC said today that the Aviocar departed Batam, Indonesia, at 1:19pm, on a Test Flight after having an engine replaced. The Pilots checked in with Tanjung Pinang Approach at 1:41pm while enroute at 4000 feet. When approach contacted the crew 2 minutes later, at 1:43pm, there was no response. A nearby LION AIR airliner that was enroute also tried to contact the Sabang crew without success. An emergency call made by a resident of Malang Meetings Village reporting an aircraft crash was recorded at 2:05pm. The Casa 212 that crashed is pictured top, including a rare shot of its interior passenger cabin. The only picture thus far released of the wreckage is also pictured.
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