of engine defects, but noted the plane had been loaded with 2.7 tons of fresh durian. The crash was attributed to the wing flaps and slats being retracted on takeoff. The plane was built in 1981 and operated by Lufthansa until sold to Mandala in 1994. It had suffered an engine fire in 2003.

Indonesia AirAsia Flight 850

December 28, 2014

162 deaths: 155 passengers, 7 crew

Surabaya – Singapore

Plane: Airbus A320-216

The plane crashed into the Java Sea during bad weather, killing all 162 people on board. Aircraft debris and human remains were found floating in the Java Sea two days later. The aircraft had stalled during an abnormally steep climb and was unable to recover. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee concluded the rudder travel limiter unit had malfunctioned. The pilots’response led to a 104-degree roll of the aircraft, and apparent miscommunication between them worsened the situation.

Garuda Indonesia Flight 152

September 26, 1997

234 dead: 222 passengers, 12 crew

Jakarta – Medan

Plane: Airbus A300B4

The Airbus was on its final approach to Polonia International Airport when it crashed into a ravine in tree-covered mountains 48 km south of Medan during low visibility caused by deliberately lit forest fires. The crash was due to several factors. There was miscommunication between an air traffic controller and the plane’s two pilots. The captain inputted the incorrect altitude descent into the autopilot, bringing the plane down to 1,500 feet, whereas he was supposed to descend to 2,000 feet. The captain turned left after being instructed to turn right.

Also, the plane’s ground proximity warning system alarm was