What happened
On 12 April 2017, a Cessna C208 aircraft, registered PK-FSO, was performing cargo operations for PT. Spirit Avia Sentosa. The aircraft had completed several legs of its scheduled itinerary, including flights between Mopah Airport and Tanah Merah Airport, before preparing for a departure from Tanah Merah to Oksibil Airport. At 1144 LT, the aircraft departed Tanah Merah with a planned cruising altitude of 7,000 feet. The flight was being operated by a single pilot and was carrying 1,225 kg of cargo and sufficient fuel for approximately three hours of flight.
During the flight, the pilot communicated with the Tanah Merah tower, reporting a position 10 Nm from Tanah Merah at 3,500 feet. While en route, the pilot encountered another Cessna 208B flying in the opposite direction and confirmed via radio that they were maintaining 7,000 feet. However, the aircraft failed to arrive at Oksibil as estimated. At 1230 LT, air traffic controllers in Oksibil noted a lack of communication and the absence of a flight plan for this specific leg. Shortly after, the operator's flight following system detected an emergency signal from the aircraft, indicating its last known position was roughly 6 Nm north of Oksibil.
On 13 April 2017, search teams located the wreckage on a ridge of Anem Mountain, situated approximately 7 Nm north of Oksibil. There were no survivors reported from the single-pilot operation.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in a single-pilot capacity during a cargo flight.
- An emergency signal was transmitted to the flight following system prior to the loss of contact.
- The wreckage was discovered on the terrain of Anem Mountain.