Controlled Flight Into Terrain , PT Asi Pudjiastuti Aviation (Pilatus PC-6 Porter PK-BVM); Duma District, Papua, KNKT.22.06.07.04

On 23 June 2022, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 aircraft, registered PK-BVM was being operated by PT ASI Pudjiastuti Air (Susi Air), on an unscheduled passenger flight. The aircraft was operated in single pilot operation and the flight plans of the flight filed at the Air Traffic Services Reporting Office (ARO) stated that the flight would be conducted in accordance with Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

At 2034 UTC (0534 LT), on a dawn condition about 25 minutes before sunrise, the aircraft departed Timika with intended destination of Duma. On board the aircraft was one pilot and six passengers. The flight was approved by the Timika air traffic controller (the controller) to climb to altitude of 8,000 feet and to fly on Radial 330° of TMK VOR/DME.

During the flight, the pilot advised the air traffic controller that the ETA at Duma was 2049 UTC (0549 LT). The pilot also requested to fly at cruising altitude of 4,500 feet to the controller and was approved.

At 0544 LT, when the aircraft position was about 15 Nm from TMK VOR/DME, the pilot reported to the controller that the aircraft was entering Duma valley.

Based on the flight following system installed in the aircraft, at 0552 LT, the data recorded that the aircraft was about 1 Nm southwest of Duma (on bearing 238° from Duma) with altitude about 4,500 feet.

Local people who were waiting the aircraft at Duma witnessed the aircraft was flying about the same level of the airstrip elevation from Timika direction to the North direction without any indication that the aircraft would turn to land to the airstrip.

The local people in the near village witnessed the aircraft was flying low and impacted to a tree with height about 30 meters, then crashed. The aircraft was found about 3 Nm, North direction of Duma on elevation about 5,400 feet.

The investigation involved participation of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) as the State of Aircraft Design and Manufacture; Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) as the State of Engine Design and Manufacture; National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of United States of America as the State providing assistance. The agency has appointed accredited representatives to assist the investigation in accordance with the provisions in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13.

At the time of issuing this investigation report, the KNKT had not been informed of any safety actions resulting from this occurrence. KNKT issued safety recommendations to the aircraft operator to address safety issues identified in this report.

The investigation is continuing, should any further relevant safety issues emerge during the course of the investigation, KNKT will immediately bring the issues to the attention of the relevant parties and publish as required.