Garuda Indonesia suspends entire crew of flight GA-716 pending an investigation, after a passenger tracked his missing iPhone from the aircraft seat pocket to the crew’s hotel and later to the Yarra River in Melbourne.
The airline, in a June 9 statement, confirmed it is working with airport and law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident. The suspension follows a complaint by passenger Michael Tjendara, who documented the entire episode including timestamped maps and hotel details on his Instagram account.
It Started in the Seat Pocket
Tjendara flew from Jakarta to Melbourne on June 6, 2025, aboard Garuda Indonesia flight GA-716. Upon landing at 10:55 AM, he realized his iPhone was missing from the seat pocket in front of him and immediately alerted the cabin crew.
Though a report was filed, his phone was never recovered at the airport. Instead, using Apple’s “Find My iPhone” feature, he began tracking the device in real time — and what he found raised serious concerns.
🕐 Timeline of Events
- 10:55 AM – Flight lands. Tjendara notices the phone missing before disembarking.
- 11:26–11:48 AM – iPhone still active at Melbourne Airport Terminal 2 Arrival.
- 1:02 PM – Signal pings from 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank — location of Mercure Melbourne Southbank, the hotel used by GA-716’s crew. The hotel manager confirms that only Garuda crew members (approx. 20) had checked in that day — no other guests from the flight.
- 2:46 PM – Phone still at the hotel. Tjendara waits for Garuda staff to assist.
- 3:54 PM – Garuda officials checks some crew rooms; the phone remains in the building.
- 4:48 PM – Location shifts to Southbank Promenade. Tjendara and staff begin a manual search of bins, bushes, and drains.
- 5:23 PM – Phone still near riverbank.
- 7:33 PM – Final ping: middle of the Yarra River, indicating it was likely thrown in.
Tjendara later confirmed with the hotel manager that only Garuda crew members (approx. 20) had checked in that day — no other guests from the flight.
Garuda’s Statement and Investigation
In its statement, Garuda wrote:
“Garuda Indonesia regrets the incident and apologizes for the inconvenience experienced by the passenger… All cabin crew on duty during the flight have been temporarily relieved from flying assignments while the investigation is ongoing.”
The airline emphasized its commitment to international aviation safety and security protocols, while assisting local authorities and the passenger in the formal reporting process.
Tech-Driven Social Media Trail
The passenger’s use of “Find My iPhone” feature provided an unusually detailed trail of events, giving investigators and the public a near-real-time look at the iPhone’s movements. His social media post added urgency and credibility, prompting swift action from the airline.
With evidence showing iPhone locations and time-stamped movements, the incident has attracted significant attention on social media, raising questions about post-flight protocols and accountability.
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