History of the Flight
On 23 June 2022, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 aircraft, registered PK-BVM, was being operated by PT ASI Pudjiastuti (Susi Air) on an unscheduled passenger flight under single-pilot operations. The flight plan, filed at the Air Traffic Services Reporting Office, indicated the flight would be conducted in accordance with Visual Flight Rules. The aircraft departed Timika at 2034 UTC (0534 LT) with one pilot and six passengers, intending to land at Duma. The Timika air traffic controller approved the aircraft to climb to 8,000 feet and to fly on Radial 330° of the TMK VOR/DME.
During the flight, the pilot advised the controller that the estimated time of arrival at Duma was 2049 UTC (0549 LT) and requested to fly at a cruising altitude of 4,500 feet, which was approved. At 0544 LT, when the aircraft was about 15 Nm from the TMK VOR/DME, the pilot reported entering the Duma valley. Flight following data recorded at 0552 LT showed the aircraft about 1 Nm southwest of Duma at an altitude of approximately 4,500 feet.
Witness Observations
Local people waiting for the aircraft at Duma observed it flying at approximately the same elevation as the airstrip, approaching from the direction of Timika and continuing northward without any indication of turning to land. Other residents in a nearby village saw the aircraft flying low and impacting a tree approximately 30 meters high, after which it crashed. The accident site was located about 3 Nm north of Duma at an elevation of approximately 5,400 feet.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft struck trees and terrain, with the wreckage found in a remote area. The nose section and wings sustained substantial damage. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, with participation from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States.
Organizational Information
The aircraft operator, PT ASI Pudjiastuti (Susi Air), holds an Air Operator Certificate. At the time of the preliminary report, no safety actions had been reported, but the Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) issued safety recommendations to the operator.
Further Investigation
The KNKT continues its investigation to gather additional factual information. Any emerging safety issues will be promptly communicated to relevant parties.