The pilot then said "thank you" at 11:49 a.m., and since then there has been no contact between him and ATC.Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - A pilot navigating an Indonesian Army's MI 17 helicopter with 12 people aboard said "thank you" at 11:49 a.m. local time, before the airport lost contact with him, Oksibil Airport Chief Frits Ayomi said. The helicopter took off from Oksibil Airport at 11:44 a.m. local time, and at 11:48 a.m. contacted the air traffic control (ATC) to report that it would ascend to 7,800 feet, 6 nautical miles toward north.
The pilot then said "thank you" at 11:49 a.m., and since then there has been no contact between him and ATC, Ayomi told Antara, Friday evening.
The weather around Oksibil at that time was fine, but a little bit foggy. The MI 17 helicopter with registration number HA-5138 carried 12 people. They had earlier flown to Okbibab to dispatch logistics to military officers there.
The crew members are captain Aris (pilot), First Lt Bambang (pilot), First Lt Ahwar (copilot), Chief Sergeant Suriyatna, Second Sergeant Dita, Private Dwi Purnomo and Private Aharul.
The passengers are soldiers of Yonif 725/WRG, namely Ikrar Setya Nainggolan, Yanuarius Loe, Risno, Sujono Kaimuddin, and Tegar Hadi Sentana.
Translator: Evarukdijati, Fardah
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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