Aircraft missing in mountains near Wamena

A lightweight aircraft, the Pilatus Potter, belonging to the Aviation Service Foundation (Yajasi) crashed in a mountainous region, 14.5 kilometers from Wamena, Papua, on Thursday, Mimika Air Transportation Agency chief John Rettob said.

The aircraft reportedly lost contact at 1:13 p.m after it had taken off from a small village in the highliands. It was on its way to Wamena, and was carrying a pilot with two passengers, kompas.com reported.

Wamena police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Gde S. Wijaya said that the aircraft crashed mid-journey to Wamena. Officials from Wamena Airport have launched a search mission using a helicopter.

The condition of the pilot and passengers is unknown.