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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesian Civilian Plane Burned in Papua Pegunungan; Pilot Reported Dead

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • A civilian aircraft belonging to PT AMA with registration PK-RCY crashed and was burned at Balinggama Airport in Jayawijaya, Papua Pegunungan, on July 2, 2026.
  • The aircraft departed from Wamena Airport at 06:30 WIT with one pilot and seven passengers, landing at Balinggama Airport at 06:46 WIT.
  • The pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, was reported dead, and authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, with communication from the airport's post being cut off after the landing.

A civilian aircraft operated by PT AMA, identified by registration PK-RCY, was reportedly burned after landing at Balinggama Airport in Jayawijaya, Papua Pegunungan, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation confirmed receiving initial reports of the incident.

The aircraft reported landing at Balinggama Airport at 06:46 WIT.

— Lukman F LaisaDirector General of Air Transportation Lukman F Laisa confirming the aircraft's landing time.

The aircraft departed from Wamena Airport at 06:30 WIT, carrying one pilot and seven passengers. It landed at Balinggama Airport at 06:46 WIT. According to Lukman F Laisa, Director General of Air Transportation, there was no information provided regarding security conditions at the airport that indicated an unsafe environment prior to the flight or landing. Weather conditions for the route were reported as good.

Following the pilot's report of a successful landing, communication from the airport's post was reportedly lost. Initial reports from the Head of UPBU Class I Wamena indicated that the pilot, identified as Nicholas F. Goselin, had died. The suspected cause of the incident remains under investigation, pending further confirmation from authorities.

However, based on the initial report, no information was provided regarding the security situation at Balinggama Airport before the aircraft landed.

— Lukman F LaisaDirector General of Air Transportation Lukman F Laisa on the lack of security information prior to landing.

PT AMA, in conjunction with UPBU Class I Wamena and relevant agencies, is currently conducting further investigations and verifying the chronology of events to establish all the facts. The Directorate General of Air Transportation expressed its deep condolences for the incident and is coordinating with the airline operator, security forces, local government, and all stakeholders to obtain accurate information and ensure proper handling procedures are followed.

The suspected cause of the incident is still awaiting further confirmation from the authorities.

— Lukman F LaisaDirector General of Air Transportation Lukman F Laisa on the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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