Balikpapan

The Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft operated by PT. Puji Astuti Aviation (Susi Air) registered PK-VVQ on Areal Survey Flight, departed from Sepinggan-Balikpapan to Melak Area on 25 April 2012 at 0440 UTC (Universal Time Coordinate) or 1240 LT. There were one pilot and one pasenger on board, the estimate flight endurance was seven hours. At 0505 the aircraft reported leaving Balikpapan Approach. At 0910 the aircraft was reported to Melak Radio on radial 060 at the altitude of 3,500 feet, and that it would be leaving Survey after a further twenty minutes. Melak Radio reported that the aircraft lost contact at 0930. At 0922 a text message was sent by the passenger to his employer stating “Run out of fuel, landing on road”. The Search and Rescue Bureau informed that a distress signal was tetected on 1025 at the position of 00 25’.02” N 116.02’.48”E. On 26 April 2012 at 1730 UTC the aircraft was found in Muaritan – Kecamatan Tabang, Kutai Karta Negara at the position 00 25’.03” N 116.01’.55”E. The aircraft was substantially damaged, the pilot and the passenger were fatally injured.

On 11 February 2010, an Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42-300 aircraft, registered PK-YRP, was being operated by Trigana Air Service on a scheduled passenger service between Kalimarau Airport Berau (BEJ) and Samarinda (SRI) as flight TGN162. There were 52 persons on board; two pilots, one engineer, two flight attendants, one flight dispatcher and 46 passengers (43 adults, one child, and two infants). The aircraft departed from Berau at 0230 UTC1 and climbed to Flight Level 140. Balikpapan approach cleared the crew to track from en-route Way Point LOLOT direct to Samarinda. After transferring to Temindung Tower, Samarinda, the crew was cleared to track direct to left downwind for runway 04. The controller informed them that the wind was 060/12 knots. The crew did not report any abnormalities and the aircraft operation appeared to be normal. During the final approach for runway 04, the left ECU light illuminated followed by low oil pressure and torque indications. The Pilot in Command decided to go around, divert to Balikpapan, and carry out the QRH engine shut-down procedure. They commenced the climb to 4000 ft with the left engine inoperative. Approximately 16 Nm from Balikpapan Airport, while climbing through 3,800 feet, the right ECU light illuminated, immediately followed by low oil pressure and low torque indications. The right engine then failed. The crew broadcast a MAYDAY to Balikpapan Approach and decided to conduct a forced landing into a clear field in the Samboja area, about 16 Nm from the Balikpapan Airport. The PIC gave instructions to the Flight Attendant to prepare the passengers for an emergency landing. After the aircraft came to a stop the PIC initiated an evacuation.

On approach to Tarakan-Juwata Airport, the crew was informed of the poor visibility due smoke emanating from forest fire. After touchdown on runway 06/24 which is 1,845 metres long, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and one engine and came to rest. All 110 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reported to be about 400 metres, below minimums.

On approach to Palu-Mutiara Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain falls. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kalora (690 metres high) located 8 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 12 occupants were killed.

The approach to Balikpapan-Sepingan Airport was completed with a tailwind and on final, the four engine aircraft was unstable. The aircraft landed hard on runway 07, causing the nose gear and the right main gear to collapse. The aircraft slid on its belly for few hundred meters before coming to rest on the runway. All 76 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While approaching Sampit Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in the Sampit River few km from the airfield. Four passengers were killed while five other occupants were rescued.

En route from Balikpapan to Kuching, a warning light came on in the cockpit panel, indicating a low oil pressure on the left engine. The crew shut down the left engine and feathered its propeller. Due to bad weather in Kuching, the captain decided to divert to Simanggang where the airplane landed safely on one engine. After touchdown, the airplane decelerated and the pilot-in-command completed a 180 turn then a backtrack procedure when one of the landing gear went into a soft ground along the runway edge. After the left engine oil tank was filled, the crew took off for Kuching. After liftoff, during initial climb, a warning light came on in the cockpit panel, indicating a technical problem with the feathering system on the right engine. The airplane started to roll left and right then lost height and crashed in a jungle located 1,400 meters past the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all three crew members were injured.

During the takeoff roll at Balikpapan Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the three engine airplane overran and collided with obstacles. Two passengers were killed while seven other occupants were injured.

On final approach to runway 28, the position of the aircraft was incorrect so the captain decided to initiate a go around and increased engine power. The right engine went into auto-feather position so the aircraft lost height and speed and crashed 860 metres short of runway and 90 metres to the left of its extended centerline. Nine occupants, eight passengers and one crew member, were injured while 29 other occupants were killed.

After touchdown at Palu-Mutiara Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with construction equipments. All 32 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.