What happened
On 22 September 2011, a PC 6 Pilacia Porter, registered as PK-UCE, departed from Pagai for Wamena under the operation of Yayasan Jasa Aviasi Indonesia (YAJASI). The flight commenced at 0403 UTC, following a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) route that included passing through the North Gap corridor. The flight was scheduled to arrive at its destination at approximately 0436 UTC.
As part of standard operating procedures, the pilot was expected to transmit position, altitude, and destination updates via the AFFIS system to the company's Flight Following Officer at Sentani Airport, as well as via blind transmissions to the Wamena Tower frequency. While the pilot successfully sent a message prior to entering the North Gap corridor at 0413 UTC, no further communication was received as the aircraft progressed along its route.
When the aircraft failed to check in after passing the North Gap corridor and reached its estimated time of arrival without contact, the Flight Following Officer at the Sentani base alerted relevant personnel. Other YAJASI aircraft operating in the vicinity were also mobilized to assist in a search. The wreckage of PK-UCE was subsequently located in a mountainous area near the Pass Valley airstrip at an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet. The aircraft had struck trees and the ground, resulting in the destruction of the left wing and damage to the propeller blades.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage site revealed that the propeller blades were bent rearward and were not in the feathered position. The aircraft's impact occurred at a location characterized by high terrain, where it struck vegetation before coming to rest.