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)