22 fatalities

1989-09-15: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (PK-NUE) — Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA — Bintuni, Indonesia

Bintuni, IndonesiaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 15, 1989, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration PK-NUE) operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA was involved in an aviation accident near Bintuni, Indonesia during landing or approach. 22 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck a mountain while operating in poor weather conditions during its approach to the airport. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781213694Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into a mountainside during its approach to Bintuni Airport, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During an approach to Bintuni Airport, the flight crew encountered adverse weather conditions that significantly reduced visibility. While maneuvering near the airfield, the aircraft collided with a mountain located only a few kilometers from the runway.

The impact resulted in a total of 22 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants. The accident occurred during the approach phase of the flight.

Findings

Preliminary details indicate that poor weather conditions were a primary factor during the final stages of the flight, leading to the controlled flight into terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountain while operating in poor weather conditions during its approach to the airport.