- VIVAnews/ Polisi
VIVAnews – The Pilatus PK-UCE aircraft of Yajasi airline crashed around Papuan mountain area in Paspalei, Yalimo Regency, Thursday, at 1.13 p.m. local time.
The aircraft carrying crops and passengers was flying from Pagai, Yalimo Regency heading to Wamena when it suddenly lost contact.
Jayawijaya Police Adj. Sr. Comm. I Gede Suarsa confirmed about the aircraft crash. “Before being found crashed, the plane lost contact with Yalimo airport tower,” he said.
Due to the loss of contact, he went on, another aircrafts parking at the apron of Wamena airport took off in an effort to search the missing aircraft. “The initial search of AMA’s aircraft resulted an estimation that the Yajasi’s aircraft crashed on the slopes of Mt. Yalimo,” he said.
After spotting the crash location, the AMA aircraft landed in the area. Along with the police and helped by residents near the location, the passengers pulled out the pilot and two passengers from the aircraft’s body. “The pilot and the two passengers died. They were flown directly with AMA aircraft from the location to Jayapura, and estimated to arrive at Sentani Airport at 5.30 p.m. local time.”
It was possible that the aircraft crashed due to the bad weather in Papua mountain area. “The weather often changes in minutes,” I Gede said.
“The plane flew from Pagai on the way to Wamena and crashed in around Paspalei. The pilot and two passengers died, but the passengers’ identify has yet to be revealed because their belongings were in the plane,” Police spokesperson, Chief. Comm. Wachyono, said. The pilot was identified as Paul Westlund, an American citizen.
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Coverage by: Banjir Ambarita | Jayapura
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