Investigation Summary
The aircraft involved was a specialized turboprop conversion of the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou, modified by PEN Turbo with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67T engines. It had been recently acquired by the Puncak Regency local government to assist in lowering commodity prices and improving infrastructure in the remote Papua region. On the day of the accident, the flight was operating an unscheduled cargo mission. The crew made contact with Ilaga Aerodrome Flight Information Services (AFIS) at 08:23 local time, reporting their position at Ilaga Pass and estimating arrival four minutes later. When the aircraft failed to respond to subsequent calls, an ALERFA (alert phase) was declared. An ELT signal was later detected by another aircraft, leading search teams to a ridge between Ilaga Pass and Jila Pass. The wreckage was visually located at 01:00 UTC on October 31, which corresponded to 10:00 local time on November 1 in Papua. The investigation determined the aircraft struck terrain at high elevation, consistent with a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) profile.
Final Conclusions
The National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) concluded that the accident was a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The aircraft impacted a mountain ridge at approximately 13,000 feet while flying in a valley pass. The final report recommended that the operator, Perkumpulan Penerbangan Alfa Indonesia, comply with DGCA Safety Circular number SE.24 of 2016 regarding operational safety standards in Papua.
Video Analysis
The Caribou Crash in Papua | Mini Air Crash Investigation — A look into the 2016 crash of an Alfa Indonesia DHC-4T Caribou in the challenging terrain of Papua, Indonesia.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Indonesian national
First Officer
Indonesian national
Systems & Failure Modes
PT6A-67T Turboprop Engines
The aircraft was modified from its original piston engines to Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67T turboprop engines for improved performance in high-altitude environments.
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
The ELT activated upon impact, allowing a passing aircraft to detect a signal 40–45 nautical miles from the Timika VOR, which narrowed the search area.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying 3,130 kilograms of construction materials, including a cement mixer and water-channel supplies.
- 02The wreckage was found approximately 6 nautical miles from Ilaga Airport.
- 03The airframe was originally built in 1972 and modified to the DHC-4T turboprop configuration in 2014.
- 04The impact occurred at an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet in the Jila District.
Safety Actions & Advisories
DGCA Safety Circular Compliance
The NTSC issued a recommendation to Perkumpulan Penerbangan Alfa Indonesia to comply with DGCA Safety Circular number SE.24 of 2016, which outlines operational safety standards for aircraft operating in the Papua region.
NTSC Operational Recommendations
The investigation recommended that the operator ensure all flight crew are properly briefed on the unique topographical and meteorological challenges of the Ilaga Pass and Jila Pass routes.