On October 20, 2024, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration PK-SMH) operated by Semuwa Aviasi Mandiri - SAM Air was involved in an aviation accident near Panua Pohuwato, Indonesia during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft lost altitude during its final approach to the airfield, leading to a crash in a nearby marsh. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine aircraft crashed in a marshy field during its final approach to Panua Pohuwato, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board.
What happened
On the morning of the accident, a twin engine airplane departed from Gorontalo-Jalaluddin Airport at 0702 local time. The aircraft was performing a scheduled flight destined for Panua Pohuwato, situated in the southwestern region of the Gorontalo Province.
As the flight was performing its final approach toward the Panua Pohuwato Airfield, the aircraft experienced a loss of altitude. The plane subsequently impacted a marshy area located in the vicinity of the airfield. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were four fatalities recorded among the occupants, with no survivors reported.
Findings
The aircraft was operating on a scheduled service at the time of the accident.
The descent into the marshy field occurred during the final approach phase of the flight.
Probable cause
The aircraft lost altitude during its final approach to the airfield, leading to a crash in a nearby marsh.