Indonesian authorities have spotted a wreckage, which they believe belongs to a missing Trigana Air Service turboprop plane, in a remote area of Papua.
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Meanwhile, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Body (Basarnas) announced that the wreckage of the Trigana aircraft had been found on the slopes of mountains in the Oktabe district, Papua.
“It’s true, an AMA (Associated Mission Aviation) aircraft reported sighting aircraft debris around Oksop waterfall”, Wally told Antara, adding that the team were making preparations to approach the area.
The ATR 42 aircraft operated by local carrier Trigana Air disappeared from radar at 2:55 pm local time (0555 GMT) while on a 55-minute flight from the provincial capital Jayapura to Oksibil, officials said.
Officials noted during a press conference earlier today that continuing search and rescue operations have been hindered somewhat due to inclement weather.
The ATR42-300 twin turboprop plane came down in heavy rain, strong winds and fog over the mountains of eastern Indonesia on Sunday.
The plane was also carrying 6.5 billion rupiah ($637,100), which was social assistance funds for disadvantaged families, according to the head of the Jayapura post office. Transportation Ministry spokesman Julius Barata said there was no indication that the pilot had made a distress call.
Much of Papua is covered with impenetrable jungles and mountains.
It is thought that those aboard – all Indonesian and including five children – have died.
Australia has offered to help with the investigation of the plane crash.
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Last week a Cessna propeller plane crashed in Papua’s Yahukimo district, killing one person and seriously injuring the five others on board. The sprawling archipelago nation of 250 million people and some 17,000 islands is one of Asia’s most rapidly expanding airline markets, but is struggling to provide enough qualified pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers and updated airport technology to ensure safety. Trigana Air, a small domestic airline, has experienced a string of serious incidents and is banned from flying in European Union airspace.
