The pilot of an Indonesian jetliner that crash-landed in March, killing 21 people, ignored repeated warnings that he was approaching the runway much too fast and should circle around again, an investigation found.

The Boeing 737-400 skidded off the runway at the Yogyakarta airport and plowed into a rice field before bursting into flames. It was the third accident this year involving a commercial jetliner in Indonesia, prompting foreign governments to warn about air safety standards.

"The aircraft was flown at an excessive air speed and steep flight path angle during the approach and landing," said Tatang Kurniadi, the chief of the National Transportation Safety Board, following completion of the final crash report.

"His attention was fixated or channelized on landing the aircraft and he either did not hear or disregarded the Ground Proximity Warning System alerts and warnings," which sounded 15 times, he said, adding that the pilot also "ignored calls by the co-pilot to go around" again. Both survived the crash.