Pelita Air partners with KNKT to investigate cause of plane crash in Nunukan
Jakarta (ANTARA) — PT Pelita Air Service has partnered with the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) to investigate the cause of a charter aircraft crash in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, which resulted in the death of the pilot.
“Pelita Air together with the KNKT will deploy a joint team to Long Bawan on 20 February 2026 to immediately commence the investigation into the cause of the crash,” said Pelita Air Service Corporate Secretary Patria Rhamadonna in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
The airline stated that the aircraft which crashed in the Nunukan area was a cargo service transporting fuel, not a passenger flight. The aircraft was carrying out a routine distribution mission under the One-Price Fuel (BBM Satu Harga) programme in the North Kalimantan region.
The aircraft reportedly took off at 10.22am local time and landed safely at Long Bawan at 11.24am. Upon arrival, ground crew immediately unloaded the cargo so the aircraft would be ready to return to Tarakan empty at 12.10pm.
However, at 12.30pm, PT Pelita Air Service’s head office in Jakarta received initial information regarding aircraft PK-PAA, which was suspected to have crashed not far from Long Bawan Airport. The incident resulted in the pilot’s death.
Pelita stated that the aircraft used on the flight was an Air Tractor AT-802, manufactured in 2013, which was in airworthy condition and had undergone its most recent routine maintenance on 15 February 2026.
The flight was operated by a single pilot, Captain Hendrick Lodewyck Adam, aged 54, who had been with PT Pelita Air Service since July 2021 and had accumulated more than 8,000 total flying hours.
The management of PT Pelita Air Service expressed its deepest condolences over the death of the pilot on duty. The company confirmed it would fulfil all entitlements and compensation for the deceased’s family and provide necessary support during the mourning period.
The company also confirmed it would continue to coordinate with the KNKT, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transport, and all relevant parties to ensure the investigation process is conducted transparently and comprehensively.
Meanwhile, Director General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transport, Lukman F. Laisa, confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday that the aircraft had undergone routine 100-hour and 200-hour inspections on 11 February 2026. The aircraft’s total flight time stood at 3,303 hours.
He said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had coordinated with the operator, airport authorities, and relevant agencies to ensure on-site response measures were proceeding properly.
“The investigation process will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations by the authorised agency,” he affirmed.
Separately, Commander of Anang Busra Air Base, Air Vice Marshal Andreas A. Dhewo, said in Tarakan on Thursday that at the time of the aircraft’s departure, weather conditions were reported as light rain with visibility of approximately six kilometres. Low cloud base was observed as broken at 1,400 feet with a temperature of 23.9 degrees Celsius.
“Several minutes later, eyewitnesses saw the aircraft descending in a banked position towards the hills at the end of runway 22,” Andreas said.
At approximately 12.25pm local time, eyewitnesses near Yuvai Semaring Airport in Krayan observed the aircraft in a banked descent towards the hills behind the approach end of runway 22.
AirNav’s Long Bawan unit then coordinated with airport authorities.
“A joint team together with local residents immediately moved to the location and the aircraft was found at 2.33pm,” he said.