Preliminary information said that the plane catches fire and crew and passenger survived entirely."Timika, Papua (ANTARA News) - Four crew members and a passenger aboard a helicopter that crashed in Kampung (village) Aroanop, Tembagapura District, Mimika, Papua on Sunday at about 3.30 pm local time were found survived, an official said.
The ill-fated helicopter "Bel 412" with identification number HA 5170 was manned by First Lieut. Frido (pilot) and co-pilot First Lieut. Nuryanto, head of the Mimika air transportation department of communication and information office, John Rettob said here.
According to John, two other crew members on board were Second Corporal Agus and First Private Agus and a passenger, Otto.
"Preliminary information said that the plane catches fire and crew and passenger survived entirely," he said.
John said that the helicopter flew from Mozes Kilangin airport in Timika on Sunday at about 2pm local time, heading for Kampung Aroanop.
"We do not know exactly whether the helicopter crashed or made an emergency landing or a hard landing. Information we received said that the helicopters evacuation is expected to take effect on Monday," John said, adding the helicopter belonging to the regional military command Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih
It was also informed that the helicopter was chartered by the Institute of Community Development Amungme and Kamoro (LPMAK) to distribute Christmas gift packages to a number of villages in the inland district of Mimika.
Meanwhile, the LPMAK executive secretary, Emanuel Kemong admitted that his institution this year distributed Christmas gift packages for people who live in 100 villages in Mimika, including the Sugapa in Intan Jaya district.
(Reporting by Evarianus Supar/Uu.B003/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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