Flight History
On the morning of 30 January 2008, a de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, registration PK-BRP, operated by PT. Aviastar Mandiri Airlines, was on a charter flight from Nabire to Sugapa via Enarotali, Papua. The aircraft carried 18 persons: two pilots, one engineer, and 15 passengers. The pilot in command (PIC) was the handling pilot, and the co-pilot was the monitoring/support pilot. Weather at Sugapa was clear with calm surface wind. The PIC conducted an approach to runway 27.
Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft veered to the left. The PIC was unable to maintain directional control to keep the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft departed the runway and struck a man standing close to the runway edge, fatally injuring him. The right main wheel sank into soft ground, causing the aircraft to swing abruptly to the right through 270 degrees, tearing the nose landing gear from the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest with its nose embedded in an embankment 5 meters from the side of the runway.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft was substantially damaged. The occupants were not injured and evacuated the aircraft without assistance.
Aircraft and Maintenance
The PIC indicated that the aircraft had a history of a tendency to veer left during ground roll. However, the investigation found no pre-existing defects with the aircraft that could have contributed to the accident. No record of such a defect was found in the aircraft maintenance log.
Wreckage and Impact
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose landing gear fork was cracked and deformed as a result of being subjected to a high impact force during the touchdown. The nose and nose landing gear sustained damage, and the left wing tip was also damaged. Skid marks from the nose wheel and left main wheel indicated a leftward skid starting from the touchdown point.
Recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Committee issued recommendations to PT. Aviastar Mandiri Airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regarding procedures for flight crew to document aircraft and system defects in the aircraft maintenance log.