Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said both technical factors and human error had contributed to the high number of aircraft incidents in Papua, one of the country's underdeveloped regions.  

“The first thing [we need] to do is to repair and upgrade air navigation systems in Papua, which still lacks such technology,” he said, as quoted by kompas.com.  

Budi also highlighted the importance of intensifying disciplinary measures for pilots so that they could be more careful when flying over Papua.  

“[Pilots] might be overconfident and take dangerous maneuvers, which are not allowed by the regulations,” he said.    

On Nov. 23, a Cessna Caravan cargo plane skidded off the runway at Aminggaru Airport in Puncak regency, forcing authorities to temporarily close the airport to allow for the removal of the aircraft.

It was the third accident at the airport in the past two months. Departing from Moses Kilangin Airport, a Caravan aircraft operated by Asia One and carrying 1 ton of cargo, failed to land on Oct.13. Both the pilot and co-pilot survived.

A Caribou plane owned by the Puncak regional administration crashed on landing at Aminggaru Airport on Oct. 31. Piloted by Capt. Farhat Limit, the aircraft was carrying cargo weighing over 3 tons. The pilot and three other crew members, co-pilot Fendi Ardianto and technicians Steve David Basari and Endri Baringin, all died. (hwa)

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