Description

On 2 August 2009 a DHC-6 being operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Sentani to Oksibil in West Papua in daylight and on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan was in collision with terrain 6nm from destination resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of all 15 occupants.

Investigation

An Investigation into the accident was carried out by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee. It was noted that the aircraft commander had been PF for the accident flight and that present weather reports relevant to the route and destination had not been available.

The aircraft involved was not fitted, nor was it required to be fitted, with an Flight Data Recorder (FDR) but the required and fitted Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was recovered from the crash site which was at an altitude of 9,300 feet. Disposition of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft had been in a left turn at impact. The last reported stated altitude had been 9,500ft and a climb had apparently been intended.