The coffin of Rahayu Kuntardi who died in a plane crash at the Aminggaru Airport in Ilaga sub-district, Puncak district, Papua province, on Monday was flown to Jakarta, the airport’s head, Herman Sujito, informed.
Kuntardi, who was piloting the Smart Air cargo plane, was rushed to the Ilaga Public Health Center shortly after the crash, but he succumbed to his injuries, he said.
His coffin was then evacuated to Timika, the capital of Mimika district, before being flown to Jakarta, he added.
Co-pilot Eggie who survived the crash with injuries was also evacuated from Ilaga, Sujito told ANTARA.
Before the light plane (registration number PK-SNN), which was transporting logistics from Timika, crashed, two aircraft operated by Smart Air and Rimbun Air had landed safely at the airport, Sujito said.
However, foggy conditions were observed in the airport area shortly before the plane landed, he said, adding that the debris of the ill-fated aircraft had been removed from the runway and the airport had resumed operations.
Papua province has witnessed air accidents on several occasions over the past few years.
In September 2019, for instance, a Twin Otter aircraft, hauling rice packages from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), had gone missing en route from the Moses Kilangain Airport in Timika to Ilaga.
The aircraft, bearing registration number K-CDC RTB, was piloted by Dasep. A flight officer, engineer, and passenger were also onboard the aircraft.
On June 28, 2019, an MI-17 helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Army had also gone missing after taking off from Oksibil, Pegunungan Bintang district.
Factors, including erratic weather conditions and lack of access by road, had hindered the search operation for the helicopter.
Consequently, search efforts were made through sweeping aerial operations.
The MI-17 helicopter, bearing registration number HA-5138, was carrying 12 passengers and crew members on board. It had earlier flown to Okbibab to deliver logistics to soldiers serving in the area.
Source: Antara News