What happened
On 19 June 2018, an ATR 72-212 operated by Wings Abadi Airlines, registration PK-WHF, performed an unintended landing at Susilo Airport in Sintang, West Kalimantan. The flight, number IW1s70, was a scheduled passenger service traveling from Pontianak to the intended destination of Tebelian Airport.
During the flight, the crew communicated with the Aerodrome Communication Officer (ACO) using the call sign for Susilo, unaware that the airport's designation had been reassigned. As the aircraft approached the area under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the pilots descended toward the runway. Despite the airport being closed for several months, the crew did not observe the white cross markings intended to indicate an unserviceable runway. The aircraft subsequently landed on runway 08 of the closed Susilo Airport.
The investigation
The KNKT investigation focused on why the crew was unaware of the change in airport status. The inquiry established that the flight documents provided by the Flight Operation Officer (FOO) contained the ICAO location indicator for the old airport (WIOS). Furthermore, the pilots' navigation database and the airline's web-based file management system contained outdated information that had not been updated to reflect the establishment of Tebelian Airport.
Investigators also examined the physical state of the runway. While a white cross was being painted to mark the runway as closed, the work was unfinished. The presence of standard runway markings, combined with the incomplete closure markings, contributed to the crew's decision to land.
Findings
- The reassignment of the location indicator WIOS, NDB, and VHF frequencies, paired with an incomplete departure briefing, left the pilots unaware that the airport had moved.
- Outdated information within the airline's file management system and the aircraft's library prevented the crew from recognizing the closure of Susilo Airport.
- The unfinished white cross marking and the continued visibility of standard runway markings prevented the pilots from identifying the runway as unserviceable.
Safety action
Following the incident, the KNKT issued several recommendations. The airline was advised to improve its document monitoring and update its web-based management systems to ensure timely delivery of aeronautical information. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was recommended to oversee the airport closure process more strictly, ensure that outdated information is removed from official websites, and develop regulations regarding the reassignment of location indicators to align with ICAO practices.