Aircraft operated by PT. Komala Indonesia crashed into a mountain while landing – Suplied
Wamena, Jubi – An aircraft operated by PT. Komala Indonesia crashed into a mountain while landing on Wednesday (12/8/2015) in Ninia sub-district, Yahukimo regency, Papua, killing one person and injuring five others.
The PAC 750 XL with registration number PK KIG 170 series was carrying two crew members and four passengers from Wamena Airport when it went down. The aircraft technician Eka Wijaya was killed while the pilot and four other passengers were seriously injured.
The two passengers Adam and Yali Pahabol were evacuated to Wamena Hospital using Helivida Helicopter along with the pilot Herman Tiono and the dead victim Eka Wiajay. While the rest passengers namely Laimo and Yakyat Leobak were evacuated to Dian Harapan Hospital at Waena, Jayapuara. At around 10:00 Papua time, four victims got prompt medical treatment at Wamena Hospital.
A survivor Adam told to reporter that the aircraft was crashed in the attempt of landing on the Ninia runway. Because of flying very low and being slammed by the wind, the aircraft were then becoming swerved and hit the mountain near to Ninia runway and crashed.
“I was sitting in the middle row, and in attempting for landing, the aircraft was trembling at that time, I think it also affected by the wind to make it crashed over the mountain,” Adam told reported at Wamena Hospital.
The three victims of Komala Air plane crashed would be evacuated to Jayapura on Thursday, meanwhile the dead victim was brought by his family to Jayapura that fully borne by PT. Komala Indonesia.
Doctor Willy who examined the survivors revealed that the condition of the pilot is quite serious because he got injured on the head and now he’s still in critical condition that until now he is still in coma.
“Pilot had serious bleeding that affect to his tension. So we must treat the bleeding first and monitor its improvement to further medical check up. Meanwhile, the two passengers had bone fractures on the right and left thighs as well as on some other parts,” Doctor Willy said.
Until now the pilot still get the intensive medical treatment by medical team at Wamena Hospital and must get a surgery. Meanwhile the Acting Chief of Wamena Airport Markus Roni said the cause of aircraft crashed was not known for sure whether by machine disorder or another factor.
“When flying, the aircraft transported 179 kilogram of goods. The aircraft had the license and often flew crossing Wamena and its surrounded areas,” Markus Roni said.
Meanwhile, related to storm, Wamena Meteorology Station (BMKG) and central highlands area said it was categorized as extreme. The wind could blow as fast as 38 knots and endangered for the aircraft, further against the small aircrafts that usually fly to the remote areas.
“Based on BMKG observation, wind could stroke until 38 knots while it only reaches 20 knot in normal condition, thus the flight should be careful with this condition which is estimated still be happened until September 2015,” said of the Head BMKG Wamena, Diedrech Marlissa by phone. (Islami/rom)
