Vento Saudale | May 10, 2012

Bogor. The search for the Russian civil airliner Sukhoi Super Jet 100 that went missing around the Salak mountains in West Java on Wednesday afternoon has resumed.

“The aerial team will be combing around a search point and coordinating using a helicopter, while the ground search team will be done by three groups consisting of 25 persons,” Jakarta Search and Rescue Agency head Putut Parwa said on Thursday.

The search point centers around Ratu crater, Cidahu in Sukabumi, which was the last known location of the plane on Wednesday.

The ground search crew is a joint team consisting of Indonesian airforce, police, forest police and a search and rescue team.

“[We] will also do location mapping, and if it is possible we’ll make a post at the searching point coordinate,” Putut said. “We haven’t set up the radius of the search as we’re still searching randomly.”

At least 40 people reportedly aboard the plane, including eight Russian crew members, Indonesian journalists and officials from Indonesian airline companies.

The plane took off from Halim Airport, which is used for some commercial and military flights, shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. It was expected to return in less than an hour, but it lost contact around 3:30 p.m.

Herry Bakti, head of the transport ministry’s aviation division, said the aircraft was on the second of two demonstration flights, and those on board were invited guests.

The flight was part of a promotional road show for the Sukhoi jet planned for six Asian countries. It was scheduled to go to Laos after Indonesia.

Sources: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/update-search-for-missing-russian-plane-continues/517060