Pelita helicopter goes missing

JAKARTA (JP): A Pelita Air Service helicopter with three passengers reported missing Jan. 9 in West Kalimantan has still not been found, a press report said yesterday.

It is feared the Bolkow 105 helicopter crashed in the jungle.

Authorities identified the three passengers as pilot Izwar E, load master Marsono and technician Suwito.

The helicopter disappeared at 9:40 a.m. local time during a flight between Nangalaki, West Kalimantan and Long Bangun, East Kalimantan.

PT Perintis Agung Mahligai chartered the helicopter to conduct a gold deposits survey in Long Bangun.

The director of Nangalaki airfield, Sabakis, said the search and rescue team, led by his field commander Maj. Tambunan, used four helicopters comprising three Pumas and a Bolkow to search for the missing helicopter.

Contact with the helicopter was lost at 9:40 a.m. local time, Thursday.

He told Antara Tuesday the search and rescue team, coordinated by Pelita's Captain Suhari, had combed a number of areas.

Capt. Mutoha, head of Pelita Air Service in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, said Sunday the air traffic controller in Long Bagun had not established contact with the ill-fated helicopter.

The helicopter had contacted the airfield only once after the takeoff, Mutoha said. (01)