TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Air Force or TNI AU has put a temporary cease on the operation of the T-50i Golden Eagle fighter jet. This is to evaluate the jet's flight worthiness following the crash of TT 5009 at Nginggil Village in Central Java's Blora Regency, Monday night.

"Starting today, it will not be operational for evaluation purposes," the head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service (Kadispenau) TNI Air Force's First Marshal Indan Gilang Buldansyah said at a conference at the Iswahjudi Air Base in Magetan, Tuesday, July 19.

The evaluation is carried out over the operations of a number of T-50i Golden Eagle fighter jets that were still in the 15th Air Squadron at Iswahjudi Air Base. So far, the general condition of Korean-made aircraft is still normal. "That was the report from the maintenance depot," Indan said.

Nevertheless, pilots' flight training for this aircraft has been suspended. The activity will resume after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee Team (PPKPU) completes its investigation of what caused the plane crash.

Until now, he stated that the Indonesian Air Force was still waiting for the results of the investigation from the PPKPU. "We haven't received any information regarding the plane's recorder—whether it has been found at the location or is still being searched," Indan said.

The TNI's search and rescue team is still evacuating the crash site of the T-50i Golden Eagle combat aircraft.

Nofika Dian Nugroho (Contributor)

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