Contact Loss Helicopter In Mentewe South Kalimantan, 16 Joint SAR Teams Conduct Search

Archives - Bell 429 PK-WSW helicopter logistics exploration of nickel mining company Weda Bay Industri park (IWIP) which was reported missing while crossing the Central Halmahera forest area, North Maluku, Tuesday (20/2/2024). BETWEEN/Abdul Fatah

A total of 16 joint personnel were deployed to search for helicopters that were reported to have lost contact in the Mentewe District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan (Kalsel).

Batulicin SAR Alert Head Abdul Aziz said the team consisted of four SAR personnel and 12 Brimob personnel who had been deployed since morning.

He explained initial reports that the PK-RGH helicopter belonging to the Eastindo operator lost contact while flying from WAOK Airport to WAGG at an altitude of 3,000 feet.

The helicopter took off at 00.46 UTC or 07.46 WIB with an estimated arrival at 02.15 UTC or 09.15 WIB.

However, the last contact was recorded at 00.54 UTC or 07.54 WIB, about 10 minutes after taking off or at 10 nautical miles from WAOK.

"The plane reportedly lost contact at an altitude of 3,000 feet, and we currently estimate it is in the mountainous area of Mentewe District," said Aziz in Batulicin, Monday, as reported by Antara.

He revealed that the main obstacle in searching in the field was the lack of communication signals so that the team only relied on radio.

For the time being, the search gathering point is centered at KM 51 at the Mentewe rest area, before the team spreads to the location which is thought to be the point where the helicopter crashed.