Tarakan (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — The Smart Aviation Air commuter plane, a PC 6 (Pilatus Porter) with flight number PK-SNE, which lost contact on Friday (08/03/2024) while carrying 583 kg of basic supplies on the Tarakan-Binuang route, has been successfully located. Those involved in the incident have also been evacuated.
It is known that the aircraft was piloted by Captain M Yusuf and EOB Deni Sobali. They took off from Juata Tarakan Airport at 08:25 WITA with an estimated landing time in Binuang at 09:25 WITA.
A joint search team successfully located the aircraft in a forested area on Saturday (9/3/2024) at around 17:21 WITA.
Dede Hariana, Head of Operations Section at the Tarakan SAR Office, revealed that search teams found aircraft debris at the site. “There were signs like a bonfire at coordinates 3°43’45.80″N115°56’54.45″E, (Google Map – Semamu, Mentarang Hulu, Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan)” said Dede, as quoted from Kompas.com on Sunday (10/3/2024). “It is suspected that the fire was made by survivors to signal for help,” he added.
Both victims were evacuated on Sunday (10/03/2024) and arrived at Tarakan Airport at 17:22 WITA. Commander of Lanud, Anang Busra Tarakan, Colonel Pilot Bambang Sudewo, in a joint press statement with the SAR team on Sunday (10/03/2024), explained that one pilot (Captain M Yusuf) was successfully evacuated in good condition and is currently receiving treatment at RSUD Jusuf SK Kota Tarakan.
Meanwhile, another victim, aircraft technician (Deni Sobali), was declared deceased. The victim’s body will be returned to the family for burial proceedings.
Tarakan City Police Chief, as reported by ANTARA on Monday (11/03/2024), stated that the survivor is still under medical care in the hospital and is not yet able to communicate actively. The victim is also being monitored by the police to maintain the medical handling situation for the pilot.
