History of the Flight
On 9 July 2010, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registered PK-RJS, operated by PT. Ekpress Transportasi Antarbenua (Premi Air) as a charter flight from Wamena Airport to Kobakma Airstrip in Papua. The aircraft carried one pilot and nine passengers. Departure from Wamena occurred at 21.43 UTC (06.43 WIT). This was the pilot's second flight of the day to the same destination.
According to the pilot, en-route weather was fine; mountains, the airstrip, and the town of Kobakma were visible. However, a small cloud was blocking the final checkpoint for Runway 09. The pilot held over Kobakma at 5,500 feet (airstrip elevation 2,900 feet) for approximately 20 minutes until the fog appeared to clear. The pilot then joined a left downwind for Runway 09, selecting flaps to 10° at 120 knots. On base leg, flaps were extended to 20° at 95 knots, and on final, flaps were set to 30°. The aircraft touched down with the stall warning horn sounding.
The aircraft landed at Kobakma Airstrip at 22.23 UTC (07.23 WIT). During the landing roll near the end of Runway 09, a small muddy gravel spot with a stone rooted to the ground struck the left main wheel, causing the aircraft to veer left and exit the runway approximately 20 meters before the end marker. The aircraft came to rest 15 meters before the left end marker, stuck against a pile of stones. These stones had been placed along the runway edge for a hardener development project that had not yet begun.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained damage to all three propeller blades, the lower cargo port fairing, and the left main landing gear fairing. A hole in the left lower flap caused a fuel leak.
Injuries to Persons
All nine passengers and the pilot disembarked safely. No injuries were reported.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft either approached well above the normal profile or floated over the runway, resulting in insufficient remaining landing distance. Complacency influenced the pilot's decision making. Additionally, the deceleration value of the left main tire was greater than that of the right main tire, causing the aircraft to veer left off the runway.