Rescuers Find Missing Police Skytruck Aircraft in Riau Islands
Jakarta. The police’s search and rescue team have located the position of the Skytruck aircraft which went missing last Saturday (03/12) with 13 crew members on board.
The plane crashed at sea and lies at the depth of 30 meters between Mensanak Island and Sebangka – or Gentar – Island, in the waters of Lingga district in Riau Islands.
The team has scheduled the recovering of the aircraft using specialized tools as the search continues for further victims. Five bodies have been recovered and identified.
“The plane’s remains have been located in the area, as it is currently under the intensive management of SAR team,” Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sam Budigusdian told Suara Pembaruan on Saturday morning.
Meawhile, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the Skytruck lost contact with the air traffic operator at around 11.00 a.m. on Saturday, more than an hour after it departed from Pangkal Pinang to Batam at around 9.24 a.m.
Boy said the Tanjung Pinang Approach Control (APP TNJ) continued to monitor as the plane went missing on the TNJ radar.
The crewmembers on board were Comr. Adj. Budi Waluyo (pilot), Comr. Adj. Eka Barokah (pilot), Comr. Adj. Tonce (pilot), Brig. Joko Sujarwo (flight engineer) and Brig. Mustafa (flight engineer). Passengers were Comr. Adj. Abdul Munir, Comr. Adj. Safran, Chief Brig. Erwin, First Brig. Andi Z., Second Brig. Rizal, Brig. Suwarno and Brig. Joko Sungatno.
All crew were police personnel from the National Police’s security preservation agency, or Baharkam, heading to the Riau Islands Police to be posted as helicopter pilots and crews.
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