On 16 January 2002, a Garuda Indonesia was scheduled as a domestic flight en route from Ampenan to Yogyakarta suffered flameout in both engine, and ditched in Bengawan Solo river. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-300. There were 54 passangers a board and 6 crew members. There was 1 fatality (flight attendant) and several injures.

                                         The Boeing 737-300, similar to the one involved in
                                         the accident.

   The registration of the aircraft was PK-GWA. It was the first Boeing 737 flown by Garuda Indonesia. As the Boeing 737-300 was on an approach to its destination, the pilots were faced a thunderstorm while flying the plane. They later entered a thunderstorm with heavy rain and hail. About 90 seconds later, both engines experienced a flameout which resulted in the loss of all generated electrical power. The crew tried unsuccessfully to restart the engine two or three times. The co-pilot attempted Mayday call, but was unable. As the aircraft descended to lower layers of the cloud, the pilots saw Bengawan Solo river and decided to attempt to ditch in the river with the flaps and gears retracted. The ditch procedure was successful, leaving the aircraft settled down on its belly in the shallow water, with the fuselage, wings and control surfaces largely intact. There was no fire. The person involved was Captain Abdul Rozaq, who landed the plane safely. In addition, the plane land on water safely with one flight attendant that died.

                                          Minutes after the evacuation.

                                         The body of the Boeing 737-300 is now resting on
                                         the bed of Bengawan Solo river.

Written by: Kevin E.Gunawan