Lion Air plane crash latest: Technical director removed from post following tragedy that killed 189 people

Sophie Williams31 October 2018

Indonesia has ordered the removal of Lion Air’s technical director following a crash that killed all 189 people on board.

The Lion Air flight crashed into the sea on Monday just 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta for an island off Sumatra.

Its pilot had requested clearance to return to the airport just two to three minutes after take-off.

An official of Indonesia’s national transportation safety committee confirmed that the aircraft had “unreliable airspeed” and it was later revealed that the plane had technical issues during the flight before.

An oil slick where Lion Air flight JT 610 reportedly crashed into the sea
AFP/Getty Images

All staff who approved the flight of the jet that crashed have been removed from duty.

Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi says the airline will be subjected to a ministry inspection and operations of all low cost airlines in Indonesia will be reviewed.

Indonesian relatives of the plane crash victims cry as they wait for the news at the airport
EPA

Witness reports from passengers on the flight before the plane crashed, said it felt as though the plane temporarily lost power and was unable to climb after take-off.

Data from that flight found that the jet displayed unusual variations in altitude readings differed on the captain’s first officer’s instruments.

Despite this, the crew decided to continue the flight and landed safely in Jakarta.

Lion Air crash in Indonesia

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Two passengers on the flight from Bali to Jakarta on Sunday described issues that caused frustration and alarm. Alon Soetanto told TVOne the plane dropped suddenly several times in the first few minutes of its flight.

"About three to eight minutes after it took off, I felt like the plane was losing power and unable to rise. That happened several times during the flight," he said. "We felt like in a roller coaster. Some passengers began to panic and vomit."

Search: Members of a rescue team prepare to hunt for survivors from the Lion Air flight JT 610, which crashed into the sea after take-off from Jakarta in Indonesia
RESMI MALAU/AFP/Getty Images

Lion Air’s president Edward Sirait said there were reports of technical problems with the flight in Bali but said it had been resolved in accordance with the procedures released by the plane manufacturer.

The head of the National Transportation Safety Committee, Soerjanto Tjahjono said that they have identified pings coming from the aircraft’s flight recorder.

Indonesia’s navy says it has identified a 72-foot long object suspected to be part of the crashed jet was located at a depth of 105 feet in seas just northeast of Jakarta.

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