Foreigners among chopper survivors

Nine foreigners were reportedly among the 27 survivors of an incident in which a Mil8/17 Hevilift helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing near Mile 66 in Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua, at around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The helicopter, owned by Nyaman Air and chartered by US-based mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia, was piloted by two Russians, Vladimir and Igor.

The helicopter reportedly flew from the Moses Kilangin airport in Timika to Tembagapura. However, following take off, near a mountain cliff the helicopter lost altitude and its propellers hit tree branches. It then lost control and was forced to make a hard landing near the helipad.

The accident was reportedly caused by a shortage of power.

Mimika Air Transportation Unit head John Rettob said that the cause of the power shortage had not yet been determined. “We are still waiting for the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) to investigate the matter,” he said as quoted by tempo.co. Rettob added that the chopper was in a suitable condition before the accident because a routine check is always performed before it can be cleared to fly.

While there were no casualties, the helicopter was severely damaged, he added.

The survivors, suffering from minor injuries, are now being treated at the Tembagapura Hospital

According to kompas.com, the list of the passengers is as follows:

1. Lukman Hamma

2. Sokoy Reinhard

3. Lucas David

4. Phillips Michael

5. Gaylerd Leane

6. Anin Nova

7. Fairio Nova

8. Rusdin

9. Yawan Alex

10. Jackson Michael

11. Susan Gilman

12. Michael A Demoth

13. Margareth Youne

14. Wiyono

15. Nerokou Steven

16. Mambay Eqberg

17. Nussy Alex

18. Bachdim Salim

19. Worldland

20. Irianto

21. Rouulika Yoxan

22. Christian Ruth

23. Reza Muhammad

24. Kurniawan Edi

25. Rantelino Johni

(han/swd)