What happened
During a nighttime training operation, an aircraft departed from Biak-Boroekoe NAS at 18:37 local time. The mission involved performing various approach and landing maneuvers. Following these procedures, the crew began utilizing light torches while flying along the coastline near Biak at altitudes ranging between 3,500 and 4,000 feet.
During this phase of flight, a torch located within the cabin ignited, leading to a sudden in-flight fire. In an effort to manage the emergency, the crew attempted to perform a forced landing on the ocean surface. However, the aircraft crashed before they could successfully reach the water safely. The accident resulted in five fatalities among the crew members.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was an intense fire that broke out inside the cabin. This combustion was directly triggered by the use of a light torch during the flight.