A Boeing 737-200 with 117 people onboard crashed into a residential area in the North Sumatra capital in the morning of Sept 5, 2005.

Indonesian Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa Monday estimated that the plane crash in Medan left no survivor, calling it the worst air disaster in five years.

"This is very tragic and may be the worst accident in the last five years," Hatta was quoted by the official Antara news agency as saying.

The Boeing 737-200 with 117 people onboard crashed into a residential area in the North Sumatra capital minutes after take-off Monday morning.

Hatta said the cause of the accident cannot be confirmed yet pending investigation by the National Committee for Transportation Safety (KNKT).

The plane belonging to local firm Mandala Airlines crashed intodozens of houses and vehicles around Yamin Ginting street in Medan, the biggest city on Sumatra island. It took-off at 09.40 local time (02:40 GMT) heading to Jakarta, said the Antara news agency.

"The plane hit houses and vehicles before it crashed into pieces," a local resident identified only as Nico was quoted as saying.

The plane carried 112 passengers and five cabin crew. North Sumatra governor Rizal Nurdin is listed among the passengers, the Airlines' president Asril Hamzah Tanjung said.

Speaking to journalists in Medan, Asril added the plane was manufactured in 1981 and was certified worth flying until 2016.

Indonesian president orders investigation into plane crash

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Monday ordered Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa to launch a thorough investigation into the Monday's plane accident that might have killed all 117 passengers and several people on ground.

The president also urged the minister to take necessary steps to prevent another disaster in the future, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng quoted Susilo as saying at the state palace here.

"The president gives his deepest sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims," Andi said.

The Boeing 737-200 plane crashed into a residential area in the North Sumatra capital of Medan minutes after take-off from the Polinia airport in the city.

Source: Xinhua/agencies