What happened
On 11 August 2018, a PAC 750XL, registration PK-HVQ, was conducting an unscheduled passenger flight from Tanah Merah to Oksibil under the operation of PT. Marta Buana Abadi (Dimonim Air). At the time of the flight, meteorological conditions at the destination were below the required minimums for Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. Despite the poor weather, the pilot proceeded with the flight after noting that other aircraft had successfully completed similar routes recently.
The aircraft departed Tanah Merah at 13:42 local time carrying one pilot, one observer, and seven passengers, with a total payload of 473 kg. There were no reported mechanical issues prior to takeoff. At 14:11 local time, the pilot contacted Oksibil Tower to report the aircraft was maintaining 7,000 feet, with an estimated arrival time of 14:20 local time. The controller informed the crew that visibility was limited to between 1 and 2 km due to heavy cloud cover.
By 14:16 local time, the pilot reported being positioned over Oksibil Airport, and the controller instructed the crew to proceed to the final approach for runway 11. Following this communication, the pilot ceased all contact with the tower. Subsequent attempts by controllers and other pilots to reach the aircraft were unsuccessful. The wreckage was located the next day on a mountain ridge approximately 3.8 nautical miles northwest of Oksibil at an elevation of 6,800 feet. The accident resulted in eight fatalities and one serious injury.
Findings
- The flight was conducted in meteorological conditions that did not meet VFR minimums.
- The aircraft was operating in heavy cloud cover with visibility restricted to 1–2 km.