What happened
On 20 December 2023, at approximately 02:25 UTC, a Pilatus PC6/B2-H4, registered as PK-RCS, was involved in an accident during a commercial flight in Papua, Indonesia. The aircraft, operated by PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), was performing a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight from Douw Aturure Airport to Apowo Airstrip.
During the landing phase at Apowo Airstrip, the aircraft touched down prior to the start of the runway. The impact with rocks and uneven soil caused significant damage to the airframe. The aircraft eventually came to a halt on the runway surface.
The investigation
The investigation into the event was initiated by the National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia. The physical evidence at the scene indicated that the aircraft's propeller blades were bent upon impact. Furthermore, the landing gear sustained heavy damage, specifically with the collapse of the right main gear and the detachment of the tail wheel. There were no fatalities or injuries reported among the occupants during the incident.