Search for missing helicopter abandoned after 15 days

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

After 15 days, the search for a missing helicopter in Papua was called off on Tuesday.

"The procedures say that if the missing Twin Pack chopper has not been located within the 15 days, the search will be abandoned," said Anang, the Jayapura Air Force Base commander Col. Anang Murdianto. The team had been searching for the missing helicopter in an area measuring between 30 and 35 miles wide near Sentani airport.

The team embarked on the search after Sentani airport tower lost contact with the helicopter on the morning of Oct. 12.

The team comprising the local search and rescue team, personnel from the Air Force and a group of Army personnel led by Jayapura Military Commander Lt. Col. Victor Tobing.

The helicopter went missing en route to Benawa hamlet, some 150 kilometers southeast of Jayapura city. It was estimated that the helicopter would arrive at Sentani airport at 10.10 a.m, but the helicopter made no further contact with the tower after 10 a.m.

On board the helicopter were the pilot, Capt. Beceua, co-pilot First. Lt. Satria and mechanics Sgt. Maj. Haryadi and Chief Sgt. Purnomo.

Later on, it was revealed that besides the four Air Force officers, the helicopter was also carrying a civilian passenger named Anis, who was on his way to Benawa for medical purposes.

Aviation accidents have become common here over the past number of years, which aging aircraft being blamed for many.