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Indonesia air crash kills scores Indonesia air crash kills scores
(9 minutes later)
An Indonesian military transport plane carrying troops and their families has crashed on the island of Java, killing at least 97 people, officials say.An Indonesian military transport plane carrying troops and their families has crashed on the island of Java, killing at least 97 people, officials say.
At least two people died on the ground as the plane hit houses before skidding into a rice field where it caught fire.At least two people died on the ground as the plane hit houses before skidding into a rice field where it caught fire.
The plane, en route from Jakarta to eastern Java, came down not far from an air base where it was heading.The plane, en route from Jakarta to eastern Java, came down not far from an air base where it was heading.
Visibility appears to have been good and there is no indication yet of what caused the crash.Visibility appears to have been good and there is no indication yet of what caused the crash.
The C-130 Hercules had been carrying about 110 passengers and crew. Ten children were reported to have been on board.The C-130 Hercules had been carrying about 110 passengers and crew. Ten children were reported to have been on board.
Fifteen passengers - some with bad burns - survived, officials said.Fifteen passengers - some with bad burns - survived, officials said.
Smoking debrisSmoking debris
The plane was due to land at Iswahyudi air force base and struck houses in the village of Geplak, a few kilometres away, at about 0630 local time (2330 GMT).The plane was due to land at Iswahyudi air force base and struck houses in the village of Geplak, a few kilometres away, at about 0630 local time (2330 GMT).
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta: Indonesia's history is pockmarked with air disasters. Official figures for 2006 show there was an aircraft incident here every 10 days. Analysts say the real figures are likely to be even higher. Some of those incidents have been devastating. Two and a half years ago, a passenger plane crashed into the sea with 102 passengers on board. A few months later, a flight operated by the national carrier Garuda Indonesia crashed on landing at Yogyakarta airport in Java, killing 21 people. Those incidents led the European Union to ban all Indonesian airlines from flying to its territories. Indonesia has worked hard since then to improve its safety systems, but incidents still pepper the news. Air disasters timeline The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta: Indonesia's history is pockmarked with air disasters. Official figures for 2006 show there was an aircraft incident here every 10 days. Analysts say the real figures are likely to be even higher. Some of those incidents have been devastating. Two and a half years ago, a passenger plane crashed into the sea with 102 passengers on board. A few months later, a flight operated by the national carrier Garuda Indonesia crashed on landing at Yogyakarta airport in Java, killing 21 people. Those incidents led the European Union to ban all Indonesian airlines from flying to its territories. Indonesia has worked hard since then to improve its safety systems, but incidents still pepper the news. Air disasters timeline class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8058763.stm">In pictures: Indonesian crash
The aircraft was almost completely destroyed in the crash; wreckage was strewn across rice fields and only the tail was left intact.The aircraft was almost completely destroyed in the crash; wreckage was strewn across rice fields and only the tail was left intact.
Rescue teams have been pulling the dead and injured from the smoking debris.Rescue teams have been pulling the dead and injured from the smoking debris.
Eyewitnesses spoke of a big explosion before the plane came down near the town of Madiun.Eyewitnesses spoke of a big explosion before the plane came down near the town of Madiun.
A local villager, quoted by Kompas newspaper's website, said some aircraft parts including nuts and bolts fell from the sky.A local villager, quoted by Kompas newspaper's website, said some aircraft parts including nuts and bolts fell from the sky.
"One of the wings fell off... Then the plane nose-dived into the houses.""One of the wings fell off... Then the plane nose-dived into the houses."
A survivor said it felt like the plane's engines just stopped and then the aircraft began to break apart in mid-air.A survivor said it felt like the plane's engines just stopped and then the aircraft began to break apart in mid-air.
The man, who was , interviewed on local TV, was thrown clear of the plane as it came down. The man, who was interviewed on local TV, was thrown clear of the plane as it came down.
Poor recordPoor record
Investigators have been sent to find out what caused the crash.Investigators have been sent to find out what caused the crash.
Landing conditions were good, the aircraft was believed to be in good repair and there was contact with the crew just moments before the plane went down, a military spokesman said.Landing conditions were good, the aircraft was believed to be in good repair and there was contact with the crew just moments before the plane went down, a military spokesman said.
Indonesia's air force has long complained of being underfunded and handicapped by a US ban on weapons sales, correspondents say. The ban has recently been lifted.Indonesia's air force has long complained of being underfunded and handicapped by a US ban on weapons sales, correspondents say. The ban has recently been lifted.
It has suffered a series of accidents, including one involving a Fokker 27 plane that crashed into an airport hangar in western Java last month, killing all 24 aboard.It has suffered a series of accidents, including one involving a Fokker 27 plane that crashed into an airport hangar in western Java last month, killing all 24 aboard.
An Indonesian air force Hercules overshot the runway at Wamena airport in Papua on 10 May. One person was reportedly injured in that incident.An Indonesian air force Hercules overshot the runway at Wamena airport in Papua on 10 May. One person was reportedly injured in that incident.
In response, the air force said it would check its Hercules fleet, which is being upgraded with airframe and engine capability improvements.In response, the air force said it would check its Hercules fleet, which is being upgraded with airframe and engine capability improvements.
There have also been a number of commercial airline crashes in Indonesia in recent years, killing more than 250 people.There have also been a number of commercial airline crashes in Indonesia in recent years, killing more than 250 people.
In 2007, all Indonesian airlines including national carrier Garuda were banned from the European Union for safety reasons.In 2007, all Indonesian airlines including national carrier Garuda were banned from the European Union for safety reasons.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.