Friends, colleagues defend QZ8501 pilot Captain Irianto’s track record
SURABAYA — Her world may have been turned upside down. But at her home in Indonesia’s Surabaya, Ms Widya Sukati Putri is a model of composure and strength.
Her husband of 25 years, Captain Irianto is missing, along with the plane he was piloting. Still, Ms Widya has faith that he is alive, choosing to stay at home instead of waiting at a crisis centre with other families. “I’m more comfortable waiting here at our house for my husband to come back home.”
But every now and then, Widya’s confidence in her husband’s fate waivers. Authorities believe the AirAsia plane crashed into the Java Sea, a theory gaining in certainty as bodies and wreckage were recovered from its waters.
The Airbus A320-200 had lost contact en route from Surabaya in Indonesia’s east Java to Singapore on Sunday (Dec 28, 2014) with 162 people aboard.
The cause of the crash is still unknown though Captain Irianto’s track record has been scrutinised - a track record fiercely defended by his friends and colleagues.
Captain Dwi Harso, AirAsia Indonesia pilot and friend of Captain Irianto, said: “He was a fighter pilot before. He flew a fighter F-5E so he’s good and a very experienced pilot.
Captain Irianto’s family say they have been overwhelmed by support from members of the public, friends and his company, AirAsia. AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes has even offered Captain Irianto’s daughter Angela, a job in administration.
And it is an offer she plans to accept. Angela Anggi Ranastianis said: “I want to follow in my father’s footsteps.”
Ms Widya hopes her husband will be back soon to see Angela join the company and help raise their 7-year-old son Galih, who does not understand what has happened and thinks his father is still somewhere flying. “If it’s possible, please quickly find my husband so we can get closure. And I can have peace of mind,” said Ms Widya. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
