What happened
On 9 September 2011, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registration PK-VVE, was performing a non-scheduled cargo flight from Wamena Airport to Kenyam Aerodrome in Papua, Indonesia. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) with two pilots on board, carrying a manifest of diesel drums and groceries.
Shortly after departing Wamena, the aircraft began a climb toward a planned altitude of 9,500 feet. During the flight, the aircraft entered a high rate of descent while performing a maneuver to avoid terrain. Despite attempts by the crew to recover the aircraft by reducing engine power and leveling the wings, the plane struck a mountainside near Notnare Village. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation analyzed data from the aircraft's GPS tracking, Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM), and the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, loading procedures, and the flight path relative to the mountainous terrain.
Key elements examined included the aircraft's weight and balance, the climb performance under specific atmospheric conditions, and the accuracy of the flight route relative to the operator's established safety guidelines. The investigation also looked into the presence of unmanifested cargo and the adequacy of the operator's mountain flying training.