The search mission to locate the Cassa M-28 Skytruck, owned by the National Police, which lost contact on Monday during a flight from Sentani Airport to Mulia Airport in Puncak Jaya regency, remained futile as of Tuesday.
"The search planes returned to Sentani at 3 p.m. local time without being able to get photos of the ill-fated plane or its wreckage," said Jayapura SAR team leader Maj. Atang Sudrajat.
The search mission, involving two planes from MAF and Yajasi each, and a helicopter owned by Hellymission, and fuel supplied by Susi Air, was conducted for seven hours.
"Hopefully, the weather will be fine so we can resume search efforts on Wednesday," he said.
Atang also clarified comments made by National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nana Soekarna, which were aired by the news media, that the ill-fated plane had been located in Kanggime village.
"We saw on television and from online media that the crash location has been found," said the officer in charge of logistics, Sr. Comr. Maj. Situmorang.
"We don't know where that information came from."
"To prevent miscommunication, all information related to the search comes from us *Jayapura SAR*.
"We have yet to locate the crash site, but only received transmission signals from the plane."
Nanan said earlier Tuesday that the plane had been spotted in the Puncak Jaya village of Kanggime, which borders Tolikara regency.
The accident site is only five kilometers away from the highway and an airstrip belonging to a missionary.
"The search and rescue team is now trying to reach the site of accident," Nanan said, adding that the condition of four crew members on board remained uncertain.
Situmorang, who is also head of the Aerial Patrol Unit said the plane had undergone routine maintenance on Oct. 30, 2009.
Before losing contact, the plane had been used three times - on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
During its second trip to Mulia Airport on Monday, it lost contact with the control tower.
Situmorang said the Skytruck, built in Poland, was purchased in 2004, in brand new condition.
The plane, with only 1,200 flying hours, can accommodate 20 passengers and carry loads of up to 2 tons.
