History of the Flight
On 30 December 2021, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3, registered PK-ODB, operated by PT Airfast Indonesia, conducted an unscheduled flight from KM 7 Helipad (located on radial 190 about 4 Nm from Nop Goliath Airport, Dekai, Yahukimo, Papua) to Tanah Merah Airport, Boven Digoel Regency, Papua. The filed flight plan included stops at Camp 67 Helipad and Camp 99 Helipad.
At about 0630 UTC (1530 local time), the helicopter departed from KM 7 Helipad with one pilot, one engineer, one passenger, and about 420 kg of cargo. Approximately 5 Nm from Camp 67, the pilot observed that the area around Camp 67 and Camp 99 was covered by high dense clouds, though terrain remained visible.
Around 1550 LT, the helicopter landed at Camp 67 Helipad. The passenger disembarked and some cargo was unloaded. The flight then continued to Camp 99 Helipad. The pilot noted rain but good visibility around Camp 99. Shortly after, the helicopter landed at Camp 99 Helipad. Video footage from local people showed heavy rain during landing. After landing, without engine shutdown, the remaining cargo was unloaded, and two passengers embarked. No cargo was loaded. The helicopter remained about 2 minutes at Camp 99 before takeoff.
At about 1600 LT, the helicopter departed Camp 99 in heavy rain. During climb, the pilot observed deteriorating weather and decided to turn right to land at Camp 67. Suddenly, the pilot felt the helicopter sinking, then impact.
Contact Loss and Wreckage
At 1605 LT, Tanah Merah Air Traffic Service reported that contact with the helicopter was lost. The helicopter was found by local people. The crash site was located about 0.56 Nm (straight line) from Camp 99 Helipad, at coordinates 4° 56' 48.60" S; 140° 5' 51.60" E, elevation approximately 750 feet.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants (pilot, engineer, and one passenger, plus two embarking passengers, total five? Source says "All occupants were seriously injured" – but earlier states one pilot, one engineer, one passenger on board at departure; then two passengers embarked at Camp 99, so total five occupants at time of crash. The source states "All occupants were seriously injured." The aircraft sustained damage; no further details are provided in the preliminary report.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions included heavy rain at Camp 99 during landing and takeoff. The satellite image (Figure 1) showed weather conditions at the accident area. The pilot noted high dense clouds near Camp 67 and Camp 99.
Flight Recorders
The investigation did not mention any flight recorders being recovered or available.
Ongoing Investigation
The Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) continues the investigation. This preliminary report contains factual information only and does not include analysis or conclusions.