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Garuda Unites Citilink, Batik Air, and Lion Air Pilots Risk Lives in Deadly Emergency Landings Across Indonesia – What the Airlines Don’t Want You to Know!
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and one of Asia’s busiest aviation markets. The combination of remote islands, volatile weather and heavy passenger loads means the nation’s pilots and air‑traffic controllers must be prepared for emergency situations. A handful of high‑profile flights — ranging from police helicopters to long‑haul jetliners — were forced to make emergency landings on Indonesian soil. Although none of these incidents caused major casualties, each prompted official investigations and improvements in procedures. This article recounts the major emergency landings during this period using government statements and authoritative news reports.
2022: Medical emergency, policing missions and engine trouble
Police helicopter forced landing (February 2022)
In February 2022 a Bell 412 helicopter operated by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) encountered deteriorating weather while transporting the Jambi regional police chief and senior officers on a mission to inspect flood‑affected areas in Kerinci, Jambi. According to a police spokesperson, the pilot decided to set the helicopter down in a remote area after low visibility and strong winds made further flight unsafe. Search‑and‑rescue teams consisting of police, military and National Search and Rescue Agency personnel reached the site the following day and evacuated all eight occupants[1]. The police chief, who suffered a broken arm, praised the pilot’s judgement and thanked local villagers for assisting the rescue[1]. The incident underscored the challenges of operating rotary‑wing aircraft in mountainous terrain and led to renewed emphasis on weather awareness for police aviation crews.
Citilink Flight QG‑307 medical emergency (21 July 2022)
On 21 July 2022 Citilink flight QG‑307 departed Surabaya bound for Makassar with 171 passengers. About fifteen minutes after take‑off, the captain became incapacitated. Citilink’s president director later told the media that the first officer declared an emergency and requested a return to Juanda International Airport[2]. The Airbus A320 landed safely and passengers were transferred to another aircraft, but the captain died after being taken to a local hospital[2]. The incident, widely shared on social media, prompted the airline to review health monitoring procedures and emphasised the importance of crew resource management.
Lion Air Flight JT‑330 engine issue (26 October 2022)
Later in 2022, Lion Air Flight JT‑330 from Jakarta to Palembang reported engine trouble shortly after departure. Lion Air’s corporate communications officer said the Boeing 737‑800 climbed to about 3 000 ft when the pilot noticed a significant engine problem and decided to return to Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport[3]. The aircraft, carrying 169 passengers and crew, landed safely and passengers were directed back to the boarding gate[3]. Lion Air insisted the aircraft had been properly maintained prior to flight[4]. The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) opened an investigation and the airline grounded the aircraft for inspection.
2023: Helicopter emergencies and military training accident
Jambi police chief’s helicopter landing (19 February 2023)
In February 2023 another Bell 412 helicopter carrying the Jambi provincial police chief and his entourage encountered severe weather while flying over forested terrain. Fog and rain forced the pilot to conduct a precautionary landing on Tamia Hill in Kerinci district. A joint evacuation team of around 350 personnel used multiple helicopters and ground parties to locate the downed aircraft[1]. The National Police spokesperson said the main obstacles were poor visibility and sudden rain showers that hampered rescue efforts[1]. All eight occupants survived and were airlifted to safety[1]. Officials praised the pilot’s quick decision to prioritise safety and noted that the event illustrated the risks of flying in mountainous regions during the rainy season.
Indonesian Army Bell 412 training crash (28 May 2023)
On 28 May 2023 an Indonesian Army Bell 412 helicopter supporting pre‑assignment training for the 300/Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion crashed near Patenggang Village, Rancabali, Bandung. The aircraft, operated by the army’s aviation center, lost control and burned upon impact. The Indonesian Defence Forces commander announced that a fact‑finding team would investigate whether weather, technical problems or other factors caused the crash[5]. The Army Information Office reported that all five crew members survived with injuries and were evacuated to a hospital[6]. The incident prompted the army to review maintenance and training procedures for its fleet of Bell 412 helicopters.
2024: Engine fire on a pilgrimage flight
Garuda Indonesia flight GIA 1105 engine fire (15 May 2024)
During the 2024 Hajj season, Garuda Indonesia operated Boeing 747‑400 flights from Makassar to Medina. On 15 May 2024 flight GIA 1105 carrying 450 pilgrims and 18 crew members experienced an engine fire shortly after take‑off. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the right engine caught fire and the pilot decided to burn off fuel and return to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport[7]. The aircraft landed safely at 17:15 local time and all passengers were unharmed[8]. A ministry spokesperson expressed regret over the engine damage and called on the airline to uphold professionalism and avoid similar incidents in the future[9]. Garuda Indonesia apologised, evacuated pilgrims to a Hajj dormitory and dispatched another aircraft for the journey[10]. The preliminary investigation focused on engine maintenance and procedures during the high‑pressure Hajj season.
2025: Security threats, technical diversions and weather incidents
Saudia Flight 5276 bomb threat diversion (17 June 2025)
The most widely reported emergency in 2025 occurred on 17 June when Saudia Flight 5276, a Boeing 777 carrying 442 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah to Jakarta, received an emailed bomb threat. Indonesian air‑traffic controllers advised the crew to divert to Kualanamu International Airport near Medan. The aircraft landed at 10:44 local time, where emergency crews, police bomb disposal teams and military units assembled. According to the head of the Transport Ministry’s Medan airport authority, the joint team thoroughly searched passengers, baggage and cargo but found no explosives[11]. All passengers were evacuated to hotels[11] and the aircraft was cleared to resume its journey the next day[12]. The Transport Ministry praised the effective coordination between the airline, airport security, local government and law‑enforcement agencies[13].
Saudia Flight 5688 technical landing (21 June 2025)
Four days later another Saudia aircraft, flight SV5688 from Jeddah to Surabaya, made a precautionary technical landing at Kualanamu. PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi’s acting director of operations and service, Nugroho, explained that the Airbus A330 diverted at 9:27 a.m. due to a technical issue[14]. Emergency procedures were activated and passengers were processed according to regulations[15]. The earlier bomb‑threat incident was referenced as a reminder of the airport’s readiness to handle emergencies[16]. The aircraft carrying 376 passengers underwent checks and a technical team from Sri Lanka arrived to repair it. Airport operations continued normally[17].
Batik Air crosswind near‑miss (28 June 2025)
On 28 June 2025 a Batik Air Boeing 737‑800 (registration PK‑LDJ) encountered strong crosswinds while landing in heavy rain at Jakarta’s Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport. A corporate communications officer for Batik Air explained that a gust tipped the aircraft sideways, causing the right wing to almost touch the runway[18]. The crew regained control and landed safely, following standard procedures[19]. After a thorough inspection, engineers determined the aircraft sustained no damage and could return to service[20]. Videos of the dramatic landing circulated widely, prompting aviation authorities to remind airlines to monitor weather conditions and for pilots to consider diversions when crosswinds exceed safety limits.
Lion Air Flight JT‑308 bomb threat before departure (2 August 2025)
Another security‑related incident occurred on 2 August 2025 when Lion Air flight JT‑308 was preparing to depart Soekarno‑Hatta for Kualanamu. During pushback a passenger informed cabin crew that there was a bomb on board. Lion Air’s corporate communications officer said the crew immediately notified the captain and ground handling personnel[21]. In accordance with aviation security procedures the aircraft returned to the apron, the passenger was removed and handed over to authorities, and all passengers and baggage were screened[22]. No suspicious items were found and a replacement aircraft transported the passengers to their destination later that day[23]. Although the incident did not involve an airborne emergency landing, it highlighted the constant threat of bomb hoaxes and reinforced the importance of strict pre‑departure procedures.
Patterns and lessons learned
The emergency landings between 2022 and 2025 reveal recurrent themes. Medical emergencies, such as the incapacitation of Citilink’s captain, require swift action from co‑pilots and robust health monitoring of flight crew. Mechanical issues remain a concern: the Lion Air engine problem and Garuda Indonesia’s engine fire underscore the need for rigorous maintenance and contingency planning, especially during peak travel seasons. Weather‑related incidents — helicopter forced landings in Jambi and the Batik Air crosswind event — show that adverse weather can challenge pilots even with modern navigation aids. Security threats, including bomb hoaxes, necessitate careful coordination between airlines, airport authorities and law enforcement to protect passengers without causing unnecessary disruption.
Indonesia’s aviation authorities responded to each incident through investigations and procedural improvements. The National Transportation Safety Committee and military fact‑finding teams examined mechanical failures and accidents; the Ministry of Religious Affairs demanded higher service standards from Garuda Indonesia; and the Transport Ministry commended effective emergency responses to bomb threats[13]. These cases demonstrate that while emergency landings are rare relative to the volume of flights, they provide valuable lessons that enhance safety culture across the aviation sector.
Reference List
- Antara News – Search and rescue operation following the emergency landing of the Jambi police chief’s helicopter[1].
- Xinhua – Citilink president director’s statement on the QG‑307 emergency landing and captain’s death[2].
- Tempo – Lion Air’s explanation of the JT‑330 engine issue at Soekarno‑Hatta Airport[3].
- Antara News – Indonesian Defence Forces commander sets up fact‑finding team after the Army Bell 412 crash[5].
- Antara News – Army Information Office report on crew survival in the May 2023 helicopter crash[6].
- Tempo – Ministry of Religious Affairs response to the Garuda Indonesia Hajj flight’s engine fire[7].
- Tempo – Details of the emergency landing of Garuda flight GIA 1105 and subsequent arrangements for pilgrims[10].
- Antara News – Transport Ministry statement on the Saudia Flight 5276 bomb threat and search results[11].
- Antara News – Transport Ministry praise for coordinated handling of the bomb threat[13].
- Antara News – PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi official on the technical diversion of Saudia Flight 5688[14].
- Antara News – Information about the previous bomb‑threat diversion and airport operations during the 21 June 2025 incident[24].
- Antara News – Batik Air communications officer’s description of the crosswind near‑miss[18].
- Antara News – Engineering inspection confirming no damage to the Batik Air aircraft[20].
- Antara News – Lion Air statement regarding the bomb threat on flight JT‑308 and the Return to Apron procedure[25].
- Antara News – Outcome of the JT‑308 incident and replacement aircraft[23].
