Incident Summary
On 25 April 2012, a Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft, registered PK-VVQ and operated by PT. Puji Astuti Aviation (Susi Air), was conducting an aerial survey flight from Sepinggan-Balikpapan to the Melak Area. The aircraft departed at 0440 UTC (1240 local time) with one pilot and one passenger on board. The estimated flight endurance was seven hours.
Sequence of Events
At 0505 UTC, the flight reported leaving Balikpapan Approach. At 0910 UTC, the crew contacted Melak Radio, stating they were on radial 060 at an altitude of 3,500 feet and would be leaving the survey area after an additional twenty minutes. Melak Radio subsequently reported losing contact with the aircraft at 0930 UTC.
At 0922 UTC, a text message sent by the passenger to his employer stated: "Run out of fuel, landing on road." A distress signal was detected at 1025 UTC at coordinates 00° 25’.02” N 116.02’.48” E.
On 26 April 2012 at 1730 UTC, the aircraft was found in Muaritan, Kecamatan Tabang, Kutai Karta Negara, at coordinates 00° 25’.03” N 116.01’.55” E. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and both the pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the engine flamed out due to a lack of fuel supply from the main fuel tank to the engine. The pilot likely fixated on the survey flight execution and lost awareness of the fuel situation. The transfer of fuel from the auxiliary tank was not performed during the flight as required. The combination of the pilot's inexperience related to survey flying, fatigue, and the highly demanding nature of the survey operation contributed to the sequence of events.
Aftermath
The aircraft was discovered approximately one day after the last contact, having come to rest in a remote area. The search and rescue effort was initiated following the detection of the distress signal and the text message.