http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/missing-passenger-walked-away/2007/03/11/1173548021770.html
'Missing' passenger walked away Mark Forbes, Jakarta March 12, 2007 Alessandro Bertellotti began heading home to St Kilda within hours of the Garuda crash. His account may help flight investigators. PICTURE: SIMON SCHLUTER Photo: James Boddington ALESSANDRO Bertellotti glanced back from the rice field at the blazing Garuda jet that had carried him to Yogyakarta on Wednesday, then took a cab into town, bought clothes to replace those splattered with his blood and decided to use his return ticket to Jakarta that afternoon. He believed he could never face flying again if he delayed. Mr Bertellotti flew home to his flat in St Kilda on Friday, unaware he was the mysterious 10th Australian who disappeared from the crash site, sparking confusion and consternation. Mr Bertellotti's lucid memories of the final minutes of the flight may cast a clearer picture on the causes of the crash. Mr Bertellotti, a veteran air traveller, was seated four rows back from the wing as the Boeing 737-400 came into Yogyakarta too fast. He could clearly see the air brakes above the wing raised, but it appeared the main wing flaps below were not extended. Normal procedures were not followed. The announcement to prepare for landing was issued about 10 seconds before the plane hit the tarmac, and some of the crew were not in their seats, he said. Mr Bertellotti felt the plane suddenly dip before landing, but believes the crash was inevitable due to the speed of approach. The Age revealed on Friday that the Garuda pilot claimed a downdraft slammed the plane into the runway and the wing flaps were malfunctioning. "We were travelling at an incredible speed," Mr Bertellotti said. "Everyone was screaming before the landing because we know it was too fast. I look outside. The air brakes were up but I saw the airport building passing by in a flash. My impression was the flaps weren't down. I am pretty sure they weren't open. I am quite sure. "There was no wind at all before the crash. I did feel it dip for just a moment. We were about 50 metres above the ground. There was this fast movement, but already we were approaching too fast, we were already screaming. "I don't understand why they didn't 'touch and go' (take off again and reland). There was a huge bang and that was it." Two stewards were still running towards their seats and were thrown into the air by the impact, he said. "I am very lucky. I am still alive. I was in seat 21C . and the fire started . four seats in front of me. "Everything was incredibly dark, but we saw the light from the rear door and in eight steps I was out. "Outside there was an incredible silence, no one was speaking.
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