Incident Overview
A charter flight departed Palu-Mutiara Airport carrying tourists, bound for Tolitoli. During the en route portion of the flight, the crew descended from an altitude of 9,000 feet to 5,000 feet to provide passengers with a better view of the area. The pilot subsequently realized the aircraft was facing a mountain and elected to gain height. However, the aircraft struck tree tops located on the top of a cliff, stalled, and crashed into a ravine.
Rescue and Casualties
Wreckage was located a few hours after the accident. A crew member and nine passengers were rescued from the site. The remaining 13 occupants, including both pilots, were killed.
Investigation
Details of the investigation are limited. The sequence of events is documented as described, but no official probable cause has been issued.