Body of American Pilot Handed Over to Family

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) handed over the body of American pilot Nicholas F. Goseli to his family and the airline on Friday, 3 July 2026. Goseli was the pilot of a PT AMA Air PK-RCY aircraft. The handover process was carried out after the TNI successfully evacuated the body from the shooting location in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. “Alhamdulillah, the body was successfully evacuated by TNI troops under the control of Kogabwilhan III on Friday, 3 July 2026, at 08.00 WIT, and the body is currently being prepared at the TNI AD Timika Hospital. We will then hand the body over to the family and AMA,” said Commander of the Joint Regional Defence Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III, Lieutenant General TNI Lucky Avianto, in an official statement on Friday. Lucky explained that at the same time, the TNI is currently pursuing the separatist group that killed Nicholas F. Goseli. Several efforts have been made to pursue the perpetrators, from searching for clues in the field to identifying the suspects. “This incident was carried out by a group led by Elkius Kobak, and was proudly acknowledged by TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom as a tangible manifestation of the development paradox for the region and its people on Indonesia’s eastern horizon,” Lucky said. Therefore, Lucky confirmed that his party would make maximum efforts to take action against the perpetrators to ensure security in Papua. “Based on applicable laws and regulations, we can take firm steps based on the Rules of Engagement (ROE) to ensure that the measured firm actions we take continue to uphold the law and human rights,” he stressed. The incident occurred on Thursday, 2 July 2026, at 06.50 WIT. The attack took place when the aircraft, which had taken off from Wamena Airport, landed at Ipdeheik Airport in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, at 06.46 WIT. At that moment, the aircraft was attacked by the OPM (Free Papua Organisation) group. The aircraft was attacked until it caught fire, and the pilot was declared dead from gunshot wounds at the location.