Head of the Jayapura Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) Putu Agra informed ANTARA that Dasep was the pilot of the missing aircraft that also had onboard a flight officer, engineer, and passenger during the flight.
Agra remarked that the aircraft, bearing registration number K-CDC RTB, took off from Timika's airport at 10:36 a.m. local time and was expected to land at Ilaga at 11:09 a.m. local time.
However, until 11:35 a.m. local time, this Twin Otter aircraft had yet to arrive at Ilaga, prompting the aviation authorities to then issue an INCERFA status at 11:40 a.m. local time to notify of an uncertain phase of the safety of the aircraft and those on board, he revealed.
"Until 12:10 p.m. local time, the search operation had yet to yield success in locating the missing aircraft, while its fuel will have run out after flying for two hours and thirty minutes," he added.
Related news: TNI helicopter goes missing in Papua
Papua Province has, on several occasions over the past few years, borne witness to air accidents. On June 28, 2019, the Indonesian Army's MI-17 helicopter also went missing after taking off from Oksibil, Pegunungan Bintang District, Papua Province.
Factors, including erratic weather conditions and difficulties on the ground due to inaccessibility to roads, hindered the search operation for locating the helicopter.
Consequently, search efforts were made through sweeping aerial operations.
The MI-17 helicopter, bearing registration number HA-5138 and carrying 12 passengers and crew members on board, had earlier flown to Okbibab to deliver logistics to soldiers serving in the area.
The crew members aboard the helicopter were pilots CPN Captain Aris and CPN Lieutenant Bambang, co-pilot First Lieutenant CPN Ahwar, Head Sergeant Suriyatna, Sergeant Dita, Head Private Dwi Purnomo, and Private Aharul.
The passengers, who were members of the Battalion 725/WRG, comprised Second Sergeant Ikrar Setya Nainggolan, Private Yanuarius Loe, Private Risno, Second Private Sujono Kaimuddin, and Second Private Tegar Hadi Sentana.
Related news: Military helicopter still missing in Papua
Related news: Joint SAR team, locals continue land-based search for MI-17 helicopter
Close
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Alfian R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
