Irianese tribal chief fatally hit by plane

Irianese tribal chief fatally hit by plane

JAKARTA (JP): An Irianese tribal chief was fatally hit by a
Cessna plane in Jayawijaya on Wednesday, a press report said
yesterday.

Ikulucak Italai, 53, a leader of the Pugima tribe in the
Baliem Valley was walking near the runway of the airport when
the light plane with five people on board touched down.

A spokesman for the Irian Jaya transportation office, Lukman
Sirait, said a wing of the aircraft flown by pilot Eko Permadi
hit Italai when the plane skidded to avoid a group of school
children who appeared from nowhere.

There has been no explanation why the tribal chief was near
the runway when the Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) aircraft
landed, Antara reported.

Italai was a highly respected figure among tribal people in
the spectacular Baliem Valley for his role in improving community
welfare. An educated figure, Italai was known to have good
relations with local government officials.

Sirait said the pilot had landed the aircraft with control
tower's permission upon seeing the airport was clear.

But when the aircraft touched town, a group of school children
appeared near the runway, forcing the pilot to turn the aircraft
to one side and a wing struck Italai's head.

The Wamena airport is known to be one of the most unsafe in
Irian Jaya. It is not bounded with fences, allowing people and
animals to roam freely in the area. (pan)