Pelita Air Service Releases Timeline of Fatal Air Tractor Crash in North Kalimantan
PT Pelita Air Service has released chronological information regarding the charter flight of its Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft, registration PK-PAA, which on 19 February 2026 was carrying out a routine distribution mission under the One-Price Fuel (BBM Satu Harga) programme in the North Kalimantan region.
Aircraft PK-PAA operated a flight from Juwata Airport in Tarakan to Long Bawan Airport carrying a cargo of fuel. The aircraft took off at 10.22 WITA and landed safely at Long Bawan at 11.24 WITA. Upon arrival at Long Bawan, ground crew immediately carried out the cargo offloading process, and the aircraft was readied for its return to Tarakan in an unladen condition at 12.10 WITA.
At 12.30 WITA, the head office of PT Pelita Air Service in Jakarta received initial reports that aircraft PK-PAA was believed to have crashed not far from Long Bawan Airport. In response, the company immediately undertook intensive coordination with Tarakan Air Force Base, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and local residents to ascertain the condition of the pilot and the aircraft.
Following an intensive search, the aircraft’s location was found at 13.25 WITA. The pilot was subsequently evacuated and confirmed deceased at 14.33 WITA. The remains were transported to Long Bawan Pratama Hospital, arriving at 15.20 WITA.
The remains were scheduled to be evacuated to Tarakan on Friday, 20 February 2026 at 09.50 WITA, and subsequently flown to Jakarta at the earliest opportunity to be handed over to the family.
PT Pelita Air Service, together with the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), dispatched a joint team to Long Bawan on 20 February 2026 to commence the investigation into the cause of the crash without delay.
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 crewed 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 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 due to the family of the deceased and would provide the necessary support throughout the period of mourning.
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 proceeds in a transparent and comprehensive manner. The company reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the operational safety of all PT Pelita Air Service flights.