Chronology Of PT SAM Air Pioneer Plane Accident Accident In Gorontalo

One part of the plane that crashed in the Marisa area, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, Sunday (20/10/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The pioneering plane belonging to PT SAM Air with registration number PK-SMH (DHC6) had an accident at Panua Airport, Pohuwato, Gorontalo, Sunday, October 20. The Acting Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa explained the chronology of the accident.

According to Lukman, the PK-SMH aircraft took off from Gorontalo Airport at 07.03 WITA (23.03 UTC) with an estimated arrival time (ETA) at 07.33 WITA (23.33 UTC) in cloudy weather conditions.

The lost contact aircraft was declared at 07.22 WITA (23.22 UTC) and a few hours later the plane was found completely destroyed due to an accident in the swamp before the runway of 27 Pohuwato Airport.

This accident resulted in the death of four people, consisting of a pilot, first officer, technician, and a passenger. Furthermore, the victims have been evacuated to the Motolohu Pohuwato Health Center.

"We are deeply saddened by the accident that happened to the pioneering plane of PT SAM Air in Pohuwato. We convey our prayers and sympathy to the families of the victims who were left behind," said Lukman.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) and relevant stakeholders to conduct further investigations into this incident.

"I hope the investigation process runs smoothly, and future preventive measures can be taken to improve flight safety in the future," said Lukman.

The Ministry of Transportation revealed that during the accident, the plane was serving a route from Djalaluddin Airport, Gorontalo, to Panua Airport, Pohuwato.

The plane was piloted by Capt M Saefurubi A with first officer M Arthur VG and a technician named Budijanto. Apart from the crew, there is a passenger named Sri Meyke Male.