2016 Indonesian Air Force C-130 crash

Last updated
Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crash
TNI-AU Lockheed KC-130B Hercules (L-282) at Medan Polonia Airport.jpg
An Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules similar to the one crashed, but crashed on another flight
Accident
Date18 December 2016 (2016-12-18)
SummaryControlled flight into terrain
SiteMount Lisuwa, Maima District, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, Indonesia
Aircraft
Aircraft type Lockheed C-130H Hercules
Operator Indonesian Air Force
Registration A-1334
Flight origin Mozes Kilangin Airport, Timika, Indonesia
Destination Wamena Airport, Wamena, Indonesia
Occupants13
Passengers1
Crew12
Fatalities13
Survivors0

On 18 December 2016, an Indonesian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules crashed on Mount Lisuwa while approaching Wamena Airport in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia. The aircraft, which was flying a co-pilot training mission, was carrying twelve crew members of the Indonesian Air Force and one passenger. The aircraft was destroyed on impact; all thirteen occupants died. [1] [2]

Contents

Aircraft

According to Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja, Vice Chief of the Indonesian Air Force Staff, the aircraft involved was airworthy and had accumulated 9,000 flight hours during its lifespan. [3] He added that the aircraft had received routine maintenance checks, scheduled to be performed every 50 hours. [4] The aircraft itself was newly delivered to the fleet. Delivered in March 2016 from Australia, it was the first of five ex-RAAF C-130H Hercules purchased from the Royal Australian Air Force. The Indonesian Air Force was planning to add up to 16 Hercules to its fleet. [5]

Accident

The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules carrying 12 crew members, a passenger, and 12 tonnes of logistics, took off at 05:35 local time (UTC +9) from Mimika Regency's capital Timika, bound for Wamena Airport in Wamena. The aircraft was piloted by Major Marlon A Kawer, and according to a military statement in Halim, the flight was also acting as a training mission for the co-pilot. [6] It was scheduled to land in Wamena at 06:13 local time, before continuing to Jayapura. [7]

The aircraft had contacted Wamena Tower at 06:02, prior to a planned landing on Runway 15. However, due to poor visibility, Wamena Tower suggested that the aircraft should move to another runway, and the pilot accordingly changed to Runway 33. Wamena Tower obtained visual contact with the aircraft at 06:08, [8] but a minute later lost all contact with the plane. [9] [10]

Following the crash, a crisis center was set up at Sentani Airport and 30 military personnel were deployed to the area. Search and rescue teams immediately found the wreckage on Mount Lisuwa, near Runway 33. Officials stated that the wreckage was burnt, with the tail section detached from the main body of the aircraft. No survivors were found at the crash site, and bodies were discovered in mutilated and disfigured condition. [11] [12] Military officials stated that the bodies of all thirteen of the victims had been found at the crash site and were transported to the nearest airport. [13] By noon on 18 December, ten bodies had been identified. [14] The bodies were repatriated to Malang, East Java. A ceremony was held during the repatriation. [15] [16]

Investigation

The Indonesian Air Force sent a team of investigators to the site of the crash and stated that it planned to analyse several factors possibly contributing to the crash. Eyewitness reports stated that the area surrounding the crash was covered with thick fog, and it was possible that the crew had lost their orientation due to the poor visibility. [17]

Aftermath

A massive public outcry occurred after the crash, with most people criticizing the ageing fleets on the Indonesian Air Force. Several people asked to stop the operation of every Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in Indonesia due to its old age and recent crashes that involved the aircraft. However, the commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces Gatot Nurmantyo stated that it will continue to operate the aircraft. He added that due to the large number of islands in Indonesia, only Lockheed C-130 Hercules that could reach the entire islands in Indonesia. [18]

Government officials were asked to review the aging fleets in the Indonesian Air Force. The Head of the People's Consultative Assembly Zulkifli Hasan stated that the Indonesian Government needs to review and renew its fleet. [19] Indonesian President Joko Widodo had also asked the same thing and ordered to observe the maintenance of every aircraft of the Indonesian Armed Forces. [20]

After the crash, the Indonesian Air Force would renew the engines of every Hercules on their fleet. [21] Members of the Indonesian People's Representatives will call the Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu for his responsibility on the crash. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandala Airlines Flight 091</span> 2005 aviation accident

Mandala Airlines Flight 091 (RI091/MDL091) was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Medan to Jakarta, operated by Mandala Airlines with a Boeing 737-200Adv. On September 5, 2005 at 10:15 a.m. WIB (UTC+7), the aircraft stalled and crashed into a heavily populated residential area seconds after taking off from Polonia International Airport. Of the 117 passengers and crews on board, only 17 survived. An additional 49 civilians on the ground were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesian Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces

The Indonesian Air Force sometimes shortened as IDAF / IdAF, is the aerial branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. The Indonesian Air Force is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is headed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Its order of battle is split into three Air Operations Commands. Most of its airbases are located on the island of Java. The Indonesian Air Force also has its ground force unit, called Air Force Quick Reaction Force Command (Kopasgat). The corps is also known as the "Orange Berets" due to the distinctive color of their service headgear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Husein Sastranegara International Airport</span> Airport in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Husein Sastranegara Airport is an airport in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. It is located within the city and 2.4 km from Bandung Central train station. The site occupies an area of 145 hectares and serves the area of civil aviation in the south western region of Java. The airfield is conjoined with the Husein Sastranegara air force base of the Indonesian Air Force. Most of the commercial flights operations transferred from this to newly built Kertajati International Airport.

Datah Dawai Airport or Datah Dawai Airport is an airport in Long Lunuk, Long Pahangai, Mahakam Ulu Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is the only airport in Mahakam Ulu, providing the only air service in the area. Susi Air has one daily flight from Datah Dawai to Samarinda, for a total of 12 seats daily. The airport was located near Kapuas River, the longest river in Borneo and the longest river in Indonesia. It was surrounded by high trees and green forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Indonesian Air Force L-100 crash</span> Military plane crash

On 20 May 2009, an Indonesian Air Force Lockheed L-100-30(P) Hercules carrying 112 people crashed at about 6:30 local time, while flying from Jakarta to eastern Java. The crash resulted in 99 deaths, 2 of which occurred on impact when the aircraft struck at least four houses before skidding into a rice paddy in the village of Geplak. and at least 70 others were taken to a local hospital. This is considered among the worst air disasters in Indonesian history and was the first Air Force crash since the 1991 Jakarta Indonesian Air Force C-130 crash, which also involved a Hercules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 8968</span> 2011 aviation accident

Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 8968 (MZ8968/MNA8968) was a passenger flight which crashed off the coast of the Indonesian province of West Papua on 7 May 2011. The aircraft involved, a Xian MA60, was operating Merpati Nusantara Airlines' scheduled domestic service from Sorong to Kaimana, both in West Papua. It crashed into the sea while on approach to Kaimana in heavy rain condition, about 800 metres (2,600 ft) before the runway. All 25 people on board the aircraft perished. It was the first fatal crash of the Xian MA60 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wamena Airport</span> Indonesian Airport

Wamena Airport is an airport serving the town of Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia. The airport also serves the neighboring Lanny Jaya Regency and Tolikara Regency. It is currently the only airport in the highland region of Papua that can accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and C-130 Hercules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesian presidential aircraft</span> Aircraft carrying The President and Vice President of Indonesia

The Indonesian presidential aircraft, also known as Indonesian Air Force Zero One with the serial number A-001 is the presidential aircraft carrying the president and vice president of Indonesia. The aircraft was designed to meet the minimum safety and security standards to support the VVIP air transportation needs of the Indonesian president, and includes a modest self-defense system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Sumatra Indonesian Air Force C-130 crash</span> 2015 military aeroplane crash in Medan, Indonesia

On 30 June 2015, a Lockheed KC-130B Hercules operated to the Indonesian Air Force with 12 crew and 110 passengers on board, crashed near a residential neighbourhood shortly after taking off from Medan, Indonesia, en route to Tanjung Pinang. All 122 people on board were killed, along with 17 people on the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trigana Air Flight 267</span> 2015 aviation accident

Trigana Air Flight 267 was a scheduled passenger flight from Sentani to Oksibil in the eastern Indonesian province of Papua. On 16 August 2015, the ATR 42 turboprop operating the service crashed on approach in the Bintang highlands region of Oksibil, killing all 49 passengers and 5 crew members.

Mohamad, Ardyan (2016-03-31). "Filipina tolak TNI ikut bebaskan WNI disandera Abu Sayyaf". merdeka.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Aviastar British Aerospace 146 crash</span>

The 2009 Aviastar British Aerospace 146 crash occurred on April 9, 2009, when a British Aerospace 146 crashed into Pikei Hill during a ferry flight from Sentani Airport to Wamena Airport, both in Indonesia's Papua province. Due to the force of the impact the aircraft was destroyed and all 6 crew members were killed. The aircraft was carrying voting paper to Wamena as well as several other goods, as a parliamentary election was held in the month. The wreckage was found in Pikei Hill, Tengah Mountain, Tangma, Yahukimo District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Alfa Indonesia DHC-4 crash</span>

On 31 October 2016, a modified DHC-4 Caribou transport aircraft operated by Alfa Indonesia crashed in the Papuan jungle while en route to Ilaga Airport in Ilaga, Indonesia. The flight was operated by Alfa Indonesia as a chartered cargo flight with four people on board. There were no survivors among the four crew members on board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Indonesian Police PZL M28 Skytruck crash</span>

On 3 December 2016, a PZL M28 Skytruck of the Indonesian National Police disappeared above the South China sea while approaching Hang Nadim Airport in Riau Islands. The aircraft was conducting a flight from Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang, the capital of Bangka Belitung province. The aircraft was carrying three pilots and ten passengers with no survivors on the aircraft. A search and rescue team was assembled by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency with assistance from Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lion Air Flight 610</span> 2018 aircraft crash in the Java Sea, Indonesia, killing 189

Lion Air Flight 610 (JT610/LNI610) was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, to Depati Amir Airport, Pangkal Pinang, in Indonesia. On 29 October 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the route crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 people on board. It was the first major accident and hull loss of a 737 MAX—a then recently-introduced aircraft—and the highest death toll of any accident or incident involving a 737-series aircraft. One diver also died during recovery operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sriwijaya Air Flight 182</span> 2021 Indonesian Boeing 737 airliner accident

Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Jakarta to Pontianak, Indonesia. Five minutes after departing from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport on 9 January 2021, the Boeing 737-500 experienced an upset and crashed into the Java Sea off the Thousand Islands, killing all 62 people on board. A search of the area recovered wreckage, human remains, and items of clothing. The flight data recorder (FDR) was recovered on 12 January, and the data storage module of the cockpit voice recorder was recovered on 30 March.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Raditya</span> Indonesian pilot (born 1984)

Vincent Raditya is an Indonesian pilot and YouTuber from Jakarta. He is one of the first aviator YouTube vlogger from Indonesia and is mostly known for his YouTube channel Captain Vincent Raditya. Raditya is known for producing aviation and automotive related videos on YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 SAM Air Cessna Grand Caravan crash</span>

On 23 June 2023, a Cessna 208 Caravan 675 operated by Semuwa Aviasi Mandiri carrying four passengers and two crew crashed at 10.53 WIT in Yalimo Regency, Highland Papua, Indonesia.

References

  1. Arief Laksana, Bisma. "Pesawat Hercules TNI Hilang Kontak di Wamena Papua". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  2. "Mabes TNI benarkan pesawat Hercules TNI AU jatuh di Wamena". Merdeka. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  3. Fajar Indrawan, Aditya. "Wakasau: Hercules Layak Terbang, Jatuh di Wamena Diduga karena Faktor Cuaca". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  4. "Wakasau: Hercules yang Jatuh di Wamena Rutin Diservis". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  5. "Hercules yang Jatuh di Wamena Hibah dari Australia, Tiba di RI Februari 2016". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. "Hercules TNI AU yang Jatuh di Wamena Terbang untuk Misi Latihan Kopilot". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  7. "Pesawat Hercules Jatuh Diduga karena Tabrak Gunung". Viva. Archived from the original on 2016-12-18. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  8. "Ganti Runway Tujuan, Ini Kronologi Jatuhnya Hercules di Wamena". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  9. Batubara, Herianto. "Hercules TNI AU yang Hilang Kontak di Wamena Angkut 12 Kru, Ini Nama-namanya". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  10. "Pesawat Hercules Diduga Jatuh di Sekitar Gunung Lisuwa". Tempo. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  11. Siagian, Wilpret. "Jatuh di Dekat Wamena, Hercules TNI AU Diduga Menabrak Gunung Tugima". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  12. "Hercules TNI AU Jatuh di Wamena, 12 Orang Jadi Korban". Pos Kota. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  13. Astari Retaduari, Elza. "12 Jenazah Kru dan 1 Penumpang Hercules TNI AU yang Jatuh Wamena Ditemukan". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  14. "10 Jenazah Korban Hercules Jatuh Sudah Teridentifikasi". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  15. "13 Korban Pesawat Hercules Jatuh di Wamena Akan Diterbangkan ke Malang". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  16. "12 Peti Jenazah Kru Hercules Tiba di Bandara Abdulrachman Saleh, Malang". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  17. "TNI AU Kirim Tim Investigasi ke Lokasi Pesawat Hercules Jatuh di Wamena". Detik. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  18. "Panglima TNI Sebut Indonesia Masih Butuh Pesawat Hercules". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  19. "Hercules Jatuh, Ketua MPR: Ini Pelajaran untuk Perbaharui Alutsista Kita". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  20. "Presiden Jokowi Soal Hercules Jatuh: Maintenance Harus Selalu Diawasi". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  21. "Usai Insiden di Wamena, KSAU: Kita Perbaharui Mesin Pesawat-pesawat Hercules". Detik. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  22. "Pesawat Hercules TNI Jatuh Lagi, DPR Akan Panggil Menhan". Okezone. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.