Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Bontang: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 2012 at 0810 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PK-IWH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Samarinda - Bontang
MSN:
31-7852065
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
17547
Captain / Total hours on type:
4250.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16743
Aircraft flight cycles:
14830
Circumstances:
On 24 August 2012, a Piper Chieftain PA-31-350 aircraft, registered PK-IWH, was being operated by PT. Intan Angkasa Airservice to conduct an aerial survey (aero magnetic) flight at a survey area located north of Bontang, East Kalimantan. There were 4 persons on board; one pilot, one security officer and two surveyors. Based on the flight plan submitted by the Pilot in Command (PIC) to the Briefing Office, the flight was planned with an altitude of 3,000 feet AMSL en-route and 500 feet AGL while surveying the area. The fuel endurance was for 6 hours flight time and the aircraft equipped with an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The aircraft departed from Temindung Airport (WALS), Samarinda at 0751 local time (LT - 2351 UTC). At 0004 UTC, the pilot informed to the Temindung Control Tower controller (Temindung Tower) that the aircraft was abeam Tanjung Santan descending from 3,000 feet and established contact with Bontang Info officer (Bontang Info). At 0005 UTC, the pilot informed the Bontang Info that the aircraft altitude was 300 feet and estimated over Bontang at 0011 UTC. Bontang info acknowledged this transmission and advised the pilot to report when the flight left the Bontang Area. At 0010 UTC, the SureTrack (flight following system) stopped receiving data from the aircraft. The last recorded information was an aircraft speed of 138 knots, heading 352°, latitude 0°8’33” N and longitude 117°12’54” E. At 0600 UTC, the engineer of the PK-IWH aircraft asked the Temindung Tower about the flight as the fuel endurance had been exceeded. The Temindung Tower contacted Bontang Info to get information about the aircraft. After receiving the request, Bontang Info tried to contact the pilot twice and there was no reply. Bontang Info also contacted the Tanjung Bara Airstrip to request information about the aircraft but there was no information. The Temindung Tower reported that:
• at 0610 UTC declared INCERFA (Uncertainty phase);
• at 0630 UTC declared ALERFA (Alert phase);
• at 0700 UTC declared DETRESFA (Distress phase).
At 0730 UTC, the search and rescue team was assembled; the team consisted of the Temindung Airport Authority, National Search and Rescue, Indonesian Police, Army and Airforce. The search operation was conducted via ground and air using three helicopters. On 26 August 2012 at 0850 UTC, the aircraft wreckage was located by a ground search team on a ridge of Mayang Hill, Bontang at approximately 1,200 feet AMSL at coordinates 00°12’34.3”N, 117°16’57.3”E, 12 NM from Bontang Aerodrome on bearing of 294°. The accident site was within the planned aircraft survey area. All occupants were fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed by impact force and post impact fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was typical of a Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT). Low altitude VFR flying in a low visibility environment limited the pilot’s visibility and increased the probability of impact with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of an ATR42-300 near Balikpapan

Date & Time: Feb 11, 2010 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-YRP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tanjung Redep - Samarinda
MSN:
50
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
TGN162
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
46
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2000
Aircraft flight hours:
34414
Aircraft flight cycles:
42107
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
The both engine were lack of fuel before flame out, it was indicated the fuel management was out of control during flight that might be a misleading of fuel quantity indication. The proper analysis could not be carried out due to both FDR and CVR were un-operated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander in Samarinda

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2005 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-VIA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Samarinda - Samarinda
MSN:
2250
YOM:
1992
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Samarinda Airport. While on a fourth approach, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed on a softball field located in the Segiri sports complex near the airport. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2B-21 Islander in Datah Dawai

Date & Time: Nov 18, 2000 at 1053 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-VIY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Datah Dawai - Samarinda
MSN:
2133
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
AW3130
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7560
Captain / Total hours on type:
3632.00
Aircraft flight hours:
21336
Aircraft flight cycles:
20374
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed from Datah Dawai Airport for a regular commercial flight with destination airport, Samarinda, East Kalimantan. There were 18 persons on board including the pilot. Minutes after airborne, the aircraft crashed at a location of about 2 km north of the runway 02 extension. The pilot and 11 passengers were found seriously injured, while six sustained minor injuries or none. Weather was reported clear at the time of the occurrence.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- There are no signs of engine failure prior to the impact,
- The aircraft exceeded its manufacturer's MTOW on the flight from Datah Dawai to Samarinda,
- The aircraft center of gravity is near the aft limit of the CG flight envelope,
- The PIC apparently has a wrong perception on takeoff procedure. He thought that the optimum takeoff performance could be achieved by taking-off with a higher velocity. Meanwhile, in achieving high velocity one has to roll closer to the obstacle, which forced the aircraft to maintain a higher rate of climb,
- The PIC and Datah Dawai ground crews have endangered his passengers by letting more passengers loaded into the aircraft than the number of seats available,
- The PIC and Datah Dawai ground crews have endangered their passengers by improperly calculating the weight of aircraft payload,
- The operator did not have proper supervision system that may prevent such practice to happen,
- The operator has never filled out Flight Clearance, for its Samarinda - Datah Dawai operation,
- There are a lot more passengers or demand than the capacity of the Pioneer Flight Samarinda - Datah Dawai,
- There are not enough flight operation documents published (such as visual track and single engine emergency return guidance) to fly safely in and out of Datah Dawai,
- The exceeding MTOW, small stability margin, PIC takeoff habit, and lack of published safety documents for the area are the contributing factors to the accident.
There were found indications of practices that fit into the category of negligence, willful misconduct and violations of existing flight safety rules and regulations.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off Samarinda: 17 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1987
Operator:
Registration:
PK-NUY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Samarinda - Berau
MSN:
459
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Samarinda, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in the sea few km offshore. All 17 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Trislander III-2 in Samarinda

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-KTD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1018
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Samarinda Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-194C near Samarinda

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-AFW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1982
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight, the airplane was attacked over Borneo by the pilot of a Japanese fighter. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a pasture. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all three crew members were rescued.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Martin 166 WH-3A in Samarinda: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
M-613
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
871
YOM:
1936
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off for unknown reasons. Two crew members were killed and three others were injured.

Crash of a Martin 166 WH-3 in Kalimantan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
M-574
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tarakan - Samarinda
MSN:
810
YOM:
1936
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Tarakan on a flight to Samarinda, carrying a crew of five. It crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in a mountainous area of east Kalimantan. It was never recovered. All five crew members were killed.