Search Intensifies for Missing Helicopter in Indonesia

On September 3, Jakarta: According to a recent media report, a helicopter that went missing in Indonesia, carrying eight individuals including an Indian national, was witnessed emitting white smoke and flying at a low altitude before crashing in a mountainous region.

The Estindo Air BK 117 D3 helicopter was reported missing after it was spotted releasing smoke and flying low, as confirmed by the Indonesian news agency Antara. The helicopter, which included eight occupants such as the pilot, lost contact around 8.54 am local time on Monday while in the vicinity of Mandin Damar Waterfall, situated in the Mentewe, Tanah Bumbu district, South Kalimantan.

Santha Kumar, from India, was among the passengers on board, with others being identified as the pilot Captain Haryanto, technician Eng Hendra, and passengers Mark Werren, Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Claudine Quito, and Iboy Irfan Rosa.

“A teacher and several students observed the helicopter flying low and emitting smoke, which occurred beyond its last known contact point according to flight radar data,” said I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency, on Tuesday. The joint SAR team will pursue investigations into the new location with air and ground operations.

Sudayana elaborated on the team’s strategy, saying, “They will attempt to find a path through the forest to reach the other side of the mountain. We are hopeful for a swift location of the helicopter, and we ask for prayers for all the involved parties.”

The efforts to conduct an aerial survey of the suspected crash site faced delays due to inclement weather, as explained by South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin. “Thick cloud coverage and the area's vast, untouched forest present significant access challenges,” shared Muhidin.

The helicopter initially left Syamsir Alam Airport in the Kotabaru district at 8.46 am local time and was expected to arrive in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, by 10.15 am. Last contact was recorded at 8.54 am, with the aircraft officially declared missing at 12.02 pm.

Previous reports from Sudayana confirmed aerial search operations with two helicopters working in shifts, supported by a ground team consisting of 140 personnel from various agencies and local volunteers engaging in the search for the missing helicopter.

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