Papuaaround.com – A Smart Aviation aircraft experienced an emergency landing in coastal waters near Nabire, Central Papua, on Tuesday afternoon, raising concerns about aviation safety while ending without fatalities.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan with registration number PK-SNS. It departed from Douw Aturure Nabire Airport at approximately 12:54 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), bound for Kaimana Airport. On board were 11 passengers, one pilot, and one flight crew member.
Shortly after takeoff, the situation changed unexpectedly. Around two minutes into the flight, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control to request clearance to return to the departure airport. The request was made after the pilot detected a suspected technical issue that affected the aircraft’s performance. Responding to the call, air traffic controllers directed the aircraft to approach Runway 17 for an emergency landing.
However, as the aircraft maneuvered back toward the runway, it reportedly continued to lose altitude. Despite efforts to stabilize the flight path, the plane was unable to reach the designated landing strip. As a result, the pilot conducted an emergency water landing in the sea near Cemara Beach, close to the Logpond area and not far from the new airport zone.
The incident prompted an immediate emergency response. At approximately 1:14 p.m. WIT, all passengers, along with the pilot and crew member, were successfully evacuated from the aircraft. Joint rescue teams confirmed that everyone on board survived the incident. Although no fatalities were reported, several passengers were believed to have experienced psychological trauma following the sudden landing.
Emergency operations involved coordinated efforts from multiple agencies. Personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police worked alongside search and rescue teams from Basarnas, as well as officials from the Nabire Airport Management Unit. Their focus included passenger evacuation, securing the surrounding area, and initiating the process to recover the aircraft from the water.
Authorities stated that the exact cause of the emergency landing has not yet been determined. Aviation investigators have begun examining the incident to identify any technical or operational factors that may have contributed to the loss of altitude after takeoff. Until the investigation is completed, officials emphasized that no conclusions should be drawn.
Police representatives also urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation. They stressed that all handling and investigative procedures have been handed over to the relevant aviation authorities in accordance with established regulations.
The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response in aviation operations, particularly in remote regions. While the investigation continues, officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring passenger safety and maintaining public confidence in air transport services.
