“Based on search developments, a teacher and several students witnessed the helicopter flying low while releasing smoke. This was beyond the initial point of last contact according to flight radar data,” said Head of the Banjarmasin SAR Office, I Putu Sudayana, here on Tuesday.
He explained that the joint SAR team would follow up on the new location by conducting both air and ground operations, with ground personnel trekking toward the mountain believed to be the last point where smoke was observed.
“The team will try to find access through the forest and reach the other side of the mountain. We hope they can find a route soon, and we ask for everyone’s prayers so the helicopter can be located quickly,” Sudayana said.
South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin said the regional leadership forum had initially planned to conduct an aerial survey of the suspected crash site but canceled it due to heavy rain.
He noted that joint SAR teams have carried out several operations since Monday, using both aerial patrols and ground searches on foot. While waiting for updates and better weather, the governor said he is monitoring the situation from Banjarbaru.
“The area is covered by thick clouds, making it difficult for helicopters to descend. It is also a vast, untouched forest, which makes access very challenging,” Muhidin said.
He expressed hope that ground SAR teams combing the mountains and valleys will soon find further evidence of the helicopter’s location.
“The team is trekking up the mountain but is temporarily out of contact due to the lack of network coverage. We are waiting for good news,” he added.
The BK117 D3 helicopter, operated by Eastindo Air and carrying eight people including the pilot, lost contact on Monday, September 1, at around 8:54 a.m. local time while flying over Mentewe, Tanah Bumbu District.
The aircraft was transporting Captain Haryanto (pilot), technician Eng Hendra, and passengers Mark Werren, Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Santha Kumar, Claudine Quito, and Iboy Irfan Rosa.
The helicopter departed from Syamsir Alam Airport in Kotabaru District at 8:46 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, at 10:15 a.m.
Its last recorded contact was at 8:54 a.m. before communication was lost with AirNav offices in Kotabaru, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, and Palangka Raya. The aircraft was officially reported missing at 12:02 p.m.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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