[Philip Argy]

An update from ABC News on the original story:

Charge downgraded, Garuda crash pilot facing 4 years

By Jakarta correspondent Geoff Thompson

A guilty finding on the "deliberate" crash charge would have sent the accused to jail for life. (Reuters: Dwi Oblo, file photo)



Indonesian prosecutors have dropped a charge alleging that a former Garuda pilot "deliberately" crashed a jet in which five Australians died in March 2007.

They are now seeking a four-year jail term for pilot Marwoto Komar.
Prosecutors leading the criminal case against Komar had alleged that he had "deliberately" crashed the jet in which 21 people died when it broke apart and caught fire upon landing in Jogyakarta in March of 2007.
Cockpit recordings proved that Komar had ignored 15 automated warnings and the advice of his co-pilot before Garuda Flight 200 bounced off the runway at almost twice the normal landing speed.

Prosecutors have downgraded their sentence demand to four years prison, alleging only that he negligently caused the deaths of others.

Wearing his pilot's uniform to court, Komar has said he hopes to fly again.