What happened
On February 20, 2024, a Bell 429 helicopter, registration PK-WSW, was performing scheduled mining support flights in the Halmahera region of North Maluku. Operated by PT Whitesky Aviation for the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), the aircraft had completed several successful legs of its mission throughout the day.
At approximately 13:04 LT, the aircraft departed from the Pinto East Helipad, carrying two pilots and one passenger, bound for the Kaorah/hai Helipad. Roughly two minutes into the flight, personnel at the departure site reported hearing an explosion. Simultaneously, heavy rain began, significantly reducing visibility. The aircraft failed to arrive at its destination, and by 13:16 LT, the flight was officially declared missing.
Following a search and rescue operation, the wreckage was located the next morning in a dense rainforest at an elevation of approximately 2,900 feet. The impact was severe, with the aircraft striking several large trees before coming to rest. All 3 occupants—the two pilots and one passenger—were fatally injured.
The investigation
The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) conducted an investigation involving the NTSB (USA) and TSB (Canada). Investigators examined the wreckage, which was destroyed by the force of the impact, and noted that while the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) activated, the antenna line was severed.
Review of the flight logs and operational procedures revealed that the helicopter was part of a complex network of over 20 helipads used for mining exploration. The investigation also scrutinized the Aerodrome Manual and Emergency Plan for Weda Bay Airport.
Findings
- The aircraft struck at least seven large trees during its descent into the forest.
- Witnesses near the site reported hearing repetitive impact sounds prior to the final explosion.
- The mining operation lacked documented responsibility for managing the various helipads used in the region.
- There were no established procedures within the Weda Bay Airport Aerodrome Manual for managing the Kaorahai Helipad or other exploration-site helipads.
- The absence of formal emergency procedures contributed to a lack of coordination, evidenced by the failure to issue a distress message from the airport during the incident.
Safety action
To address identified safety gaps, the KNKT has recommended that the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) review its Aerodrome Manual and Emergency Plan. The recommendation emphasizes the need to formally define responsibilities for helipad management and establish clear protocols for handling aviation emergencies at all operational sites.