Police name seven suspects in murder of AMA pilot in Yahukimo

The Cartenz Peace Task Force 2026 has named seven individuals as suspects in the murder of American pilot Captain Nicholas F. Goselin and the burning of a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter aircraft, registration PK-RCY, belonging to PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. The head of the task force’s law enforcement unit, Senior Commissioner I Gusti Gde Era Adhinata, stated on Wednesday in Timika that the suspects were identified based on investigations, witness statements, evidence, crime scene analysis, and case reviews. The seven suspects, identified as MB, AB (23), LS (26), DA, NS, KB, and SP, have been placed on the wanted list and are being actively pursued by the task force. According to Era, the suspects are believed to have jointly committed the murder of the pilot and set fire to the civilian aircraft, thereby endangering aviation safety. The investigation suggests the group involved comprised approximately 15 individuals armed with long-barrelled firearms, handguns, and homemade weapons. Investigators are continuing to probe the group’s network, movement patterns, and sources of weaponry. The task force’s head of public relations, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, stated that a crime scene investigation was conducted on Saturday following the police report. The examination revealed that the Pilatus PC-6 aircraft sustained approximately 90 per cent fire damage, with the central fuselage being the most severely affected area. Investigators secured several pieces of evidence from the scene, including the wreckage of the aircraft, fire debris, fragments of the fuselage, 5.56 mm calibre bullet casings, and soil samples for forensic laboratory analysis. The team also discovered a traditional hut believed to be a base for the armed group, which bore a sign reading ‘Markas Komando Daerah Militer TPNPB Kodap VII Balinggama’. Documents and membership cards for the TPNPB were also found and are currently undergoing verification to determine their connection to the incident and the group’s network. All evidence is being subjected to forensic and digital forensic laboratory examination to strengthen the case. The Cartenz Peace Task Force has affirmed that the legal process will be conducted professionally, measurably, and transparently in accordance with the law, while the hunt for the remaining fugitives continues.