We hope for the weather to turn better tomorrow, and hope that all the victims will be traced."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Search and Rescue (SAR) Team found alive a crew member of the Indonesian Armys Bell-412 helicopter, which reportedly crashed in Malinau District, North Kalimantan Province.

The head of the Armys information division, Brig. Gen. M Sabrar Fadhilah, revealed here on Sunday that First Lt (Cpn) Abdi had survived the accident.

The ill-fated helicopter carrying five crew members, namely First Lt (Cpn) Abdi, First Lt (Cpn) Yohanes, First Lt (Cpn) Ginasa, First Sergeant Bayu and Chief Corporal Suyanto, was reported missing last Thursday (Nov 24) in Malinau District.

"At 2.20 p.m. local time, rescuers reached the location where the copter had crashed in the ravine of Longsulit village and found crew member First Lt (Cpn) Abdi still alive," Sabrar Fadhilah disclosed.

Meanwhile, rescuers are continuing their search for the other crew members.

"We hope for the weather to turn better tomorrow, and hope that all the victims will be traced," he noted.

Previously, spokesperson of the Indonesian Military, Mayor General Wuryanto, had said on Friday that personnel of Raider 614/Raja Pandita Infantry Batalyon of Kodam VI/Mulawarman have been deployed to assist in the search operation on land.

Some military aircraft, such as an NAS 332 Super Puma helicopter, a CN 235 airplane and Cassa Al AL/U 622, have also been deployed to help in the search operation along with AT 802 airplane of Pelita Air Service and C 208 of the Susi Air.

The Bell-412 helicopter was reported to have lost contact at 11:29 am local time (GMT+8) at 8 miles north from Malinau, at 2,500 feet.

Earlier, Indonesian Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo had said the twin engine Bell-412 helicopter had been in use since 2013. It was being used by the Indonesian military to support troops logistic supply at the border of Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter of the Huey family, manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was the next version of Bell 212, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.

(Reported by Yuni Arisandy/Uu.B003/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016