Garuda pilot jailed over fatal crash

Geoff Thompson, Indonesia correspondent
Radio Australia News

The pilot of a Garuda jet which crashed in Indonesia two years ago, killing 21 people including five Australians, has been sentenced to two years in jail.Marwoto Komar came to court saying he hoped to fly again, but the former Garuda pilot left as the first pilot ever in Indonesia to be found guilty of criminal negligence for crashing a plane. Four out of five judges said they found him legally and convincingly guilty of criminal negligence, and said Komar did not do enough to correct the Boeing 737's rapid descent. Komar was accused of negligently causing the deaths of 21 people when he ignored 15 automated cockpit warnings and attempted to land a Boeing 737 jet at Yogyakarta Airport at almost twice the normal landing speed. Garuda Flight 200 bounced off the runway and slammed into an embankment before breaking apart and catching fire. As judges finished reading their verdict sentencing, Komar declared "I can't accept the decision, I will appeal".Asked whether he apologised to the disasters victims, Komar said only that he was deeply mournful. In sentencing him to two years jail, judges said Komar's lack of remorse worked against him. Prosecutors were seeking a four-year jail term for Komar.The five Australians killed in the accident were a diplomat, an AusAID official, two Australian federal policemen and Financial Review journalist Morgan Melish.After the judgement, the sister of Mr Melish said two years jail was no compensation for the loss of 21 lives.