Basarnas Recovers Deceased Pilot from North Kalimantan Crash

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has confirmed the successful recovery of a pilot following a fatal aircraft crash in North Kalimantan. The Pelita Air Service plane went down in the rugged highlands of Krayan, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan Province.

Despite the challenging terrain and the significant distance between the crash site and the nearest rescue unit, a coordinated effort was launched between Basarnas, military personnel, and local residents. This joint operation led to the discovery of the wreckage and the lone occupant on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Basarnas Deputy for Operations and Preparedness, Edy Prakoso, confirmed in Jakarta that the pilot, identified as Captain Hendrick Lodewyck Adam, was found deceased at the scene. Following the discovery, the victim was immediately transported to a nearby medical facility for further procedures.

"At 3:20 p.m. local time, the pilot's body was taken to Long Bawan Regional Hospital in Nunukan," said Edy, as quoted by Antara.

He further noted that the agency is now coordinating with relevant authorities to manage the aftermath and launch a formal investigation into the cause of the accident.

The incident began shortly after the Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft, registered as PK-PAA, departed from Long Bawan Airport bound for Tarakan. Operating flight number PAS7101, the aircraft took off from Runway 22 at 12:10 p.m. local time with only the pilot on board.

Eyewitnesses at the airport apron reported seeing the aircraft descending at an unusual angle toward the hills behind the runway at approximately 12:25 p.m. This prompted immediate coordination between AirNav Long Bawan and airport authorities regarding a suspected crash.

The search was localized within minutes after a Susi Air aircraft, PK-BVN, detected an active Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal within a five-kilometer radius of the runway’s final approach. This critical data triggered a rapid deployment involving the Air Force Post Commander (Danpos TNI AU), the District Military Commander (Danramil), and local volunteers.

By 1:25 p.m., the ground team reached the wreckage, eventually locating the pilot nearly an hour later. "The distance between the Basarnas unit and the crash site was quite far, but thanks to the assistance of SAR potential, the aircraft and the pilot were located,” remarked Edy Prakoso. ***