Pelita Air: Crashed Aircraft Was in Airworthy Condition

PT Pelita Air Service has stated that the Air Tractor AT-802 charter aircraft, registration PK-PAA, which crashed near Long Bawan Airport in North Kalimantan on Thursday, 19 February 2026, was in airworthy condition. The statement was issued following the accident, which claimed the life of the aircraft’s pilot.

Pelita Air Corporate Secretary Patria Rhamadonna said the 2013-manufactured aircraft had undergone its most recent routine maintenance shortly before the incident. “The aircraft was in airworthy condition and had undergone its latest routine maintenance on 15 February 2026,” Patria said in a written statement on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

According to the company, the aircraft was carrying out a routine distribution mission under the One-Price Fuel (BBM Satu Harga) programme. The aircraft departed from Juwata Airport in Tarakan at 10:22 local time and landed safely at Long Bawan Airport at 11:24 local time carrying a cargo of fuel.

Upon arrival at Long Bawan, ground crew carried out the unloading process. Once completed, the aircraft prepared to return to Tarakan without cargo at 12:10 local time. However, at 12:30 local time, Pelita Air’s head office in Jakarta received initial reports that the aircraft was believed to have crashed not far from Long Bawan Airport.

Following coordination between the company, Tarakan Air Force Base, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and local residents to conduct a search, the aircraft was found at 13:25 local time. The pilot, Captain Hendrick Lodewyck Adam, aged 54, was subsequently evacuated and confirmed dead at 14:33 local time. His remains were taken to Long Bawan Pratama Hospital, arriving at 15:20 local time.

The pilot had been with the company since July 2021 and had accumulated more than 8,000 flight hours. Patria said Pelita Air would fulfil all entitlements and compensation for the deceased’s family and provide support throughout the mourning period.

Pelita Air will dispatch a joint team together with the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) on 20 February 2026 to begin investigating the cause of the accident. The company is coordinating with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transport to ensure the investigation is conducted transparently and comprehensively.