Controlled Flight Into Terrain , Semuwa Aviasi Mandiri (Cessna C208B Caravan PK-SMW); Enroute From Elelim (Elr) to Poik, KNKT.23.06.11.04

On 23 June 2023, a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft, registered PK-SMW, was being operated by PT Semuwa Aviasi Mandiri (SAM) Air on a chartered flight for passengers and cargo in Papua, Indonesia. The flight was the fifth flight of the day. The flights of the day scheduled for the aircraft were Sentani Airport (WAJJ) – Mulia Airport (WAJM) – Kobakma Airstrip – Wamena Airport (WAVV) – Elelim Airport (WAVE) – Poik Airstrip – Elelim – Poik – Elelim – Sentani.

The Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF) and the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM). Prior to departure, there was no report of aircraft technical system abnormalities. During the stop at Wamena, the aircraft refueled with 950 lbs, as the fuel was not available at the next stop (Elelim and Poik) until the last destination at Sentani.

At 0153 UTC (1053 LT), in daylight conditions, the aircraft departed Elelim with the destination of Poik and cruised at an altitude of 6,500 feet. On board of the aircraft were two pilots and four passengers, with a total weight of 899 kg, including cargo. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) was 1106 LT. According to the flight plan, the distance between Elelim and Poik is about 15 NM, and it took about 13 minutes of flight.

The flight was monitored using the Spidertrack by the Flight Operation Officer (FOO) at Sentani.

At 1100 LT, the FOO noticed that the aircraft was still visible on the monitor screen but not moving. The FOO considered that the condition was normal because the network connection in Sentani sometimes had problems. About 30 minutes later, the FOO still noticed that the aircraft was not moving and reported it to the Base Manager. The Base Manager contacted several operators in the vicinity to conduct a search for the aircraft based on the last point reported by Spidertracks.

About 1206 LT, one of the operators who conducted the search reported there was no appearance of the aircraft in the area closed to Poik Airstrip. Considering that the fuel endurance was almost 2 hours and that until this time the aircraft was not landing at Poik Airstrip, the ATS issued a DETRESFA message without issuing an INCERFA and ALERFA. Subsequently, the ATS contacted BASARNAS regarding the situation of PK-SMW, and the search and rescue team was assembled.

About 1600 LT, one of the pilots who conducted the search reported there was a spot identified by smoke near the Poik Airstrip, and the pilot did not notice any human movement. The smoke was identified on the ridge of the mountain at the coordinates of 3° 54’ 26.35" S and 139° 25’ 53.08" E, with an elevation of about 5,600 feet. The location was about 9.5 NM from Poik Airstrip on bearing 030° or about 7.5 NM from Elelim Airport on bearing 158°.

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