A lesser-known miracle: Boeing 737-300 (PK-GWA) landed in Bengawan Solo River (January 16, 2002)

On January 15, 2020, they were fulfilled 11 years since the miracle on the Hudson River. On January 15, 2009, an Airbus A320 US Airways aircraft was forced to land in New York's Hudson River on an emergency basis. He lost both engines after intersecting with a geese herd.

The entire media reported the case, which was considered a miracle because there were no seriously injured victims and no deceased persons. Nor did the plane break at the impact of the water surface. And Commander Sully was recognized as a hero.

Boeing 737-300 (PK-GWA) landed in Bengawan Solo River

But did you know that this was not the only miracle of this kind? 18 years ago, on January 16, 2002, a Boeing 737-300 Garuda Indonesia aircraft was forced to land in the river Bengawan Solo, on the island of Java. In this case, the aircraft lost both engines after passing through a torrential rain with hail.

Boeing 737-300 Garuda Indonesia (PK-GWA) operates the GA421 flight on the Ampenan-Yogyakarta route. There were 54 passengers and 6 crew members on board. Unfortunately, a flight attendant was found dead. The other occupants escaped. Some people injured, nothing serious.

At that time, this aviation incident led to some improvements. Following the investigation by National Security Committee our Transport from Indonesia (NTSC) the result was that the pilots were not well trained in reading the weather radar.

At the same time, the investigators issued some recommendations for the engine manufacturers, in order to improve the performance in storm conditions. Recommendations have also been issued to weather radar producers to better identify cloud formations.

In the world, miracles always happen. Only that some are more visible, easier to publicize. But heroes never forget!