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Pilot of plane crash buried in Papua
The body of Robert Franklin, 63, the pilot of the Godiak 100 plane that crashed at Advent airfield in Doyo Baru village in Sentani, Jayapura regency, Papua, on April 9, was buried on Friday at the airfieldâs cemetery
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he body of Robert Franklin, 63, the pilot of the Godiak 100 plane that crashed at Advent airfield in Doyo Baru village in Sentani, Jayapura regency, Papua, on April 9, was buried on Friday at the airfield's cemetery.
Though Franklin was a United States citizen, his family wished to bury him in Papua.
'He was instrumental in the aviation field in Papua. He used to fly into the heartland and was very popular, going
by the name of Bob. Virtually all residents of remote areas in Papua have travelled in planes flown by Bob,' said Mesak, a resident.
Based on a preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), it is believed that the ill-Âfated plane crashed during a failed takeoff, after its left wing hit a bridge located at the end of the runway and it smashed onto a highway.
'The conclusive investigation will be announced by the KNKT in Jakarta,' said Papua KNKT representative, Nobert, adding that the failed takeoff was likely due to inadequate power or engine failure.
