Bogor Plane Wreckage Incident Raises Safety Concerns

Background of the Incident

A recent tornado in Bogor, West Java, on December 29, 2025, caused significant damage when it carried a scrapped aircraft wing that damaged two houses in Kampung Babakan, Pondok Udik village. The wing was part of an aircraft stored in a nearby aircraft graveyard located about 300 meters from the affected homes.

Regulatory Oversight and Responsibility

The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has clarified that once an aircraft is sold after being decommissioned, it is no longer their responsibility. Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation, explained that these aircraft are removed from the Civil Aircraft Register and are thus outside their regulatory oversight. The ownership and responsibility shift to the third party that purchases these aircraft for various uses, including being repurposed as restaurants, homes, or decorations.

Implications and Future Considerations

This incident highlights the need for clearer regulations or guidelines regarding the storage and disposal of decommissioned aircraft. While the current practice allows for the sale and repurposing of aircraft parts, it raises safety concerns when these parts end up in residential areas and are not properly secured against natural disasters. The Ministry of Transportation may need to revisit its policies to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.