February 11, 2026 | 07:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An aircraft owned by the airline company Smart Air was shot by unidentified assailants today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The shooting occurred as the plane had just touched down at Korowai Batu Airport, Danowage Village, Kombai District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.
The Head of Public Relations of the Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, stated that the shooting targeted Smart Air's Caravan commercial aircraft with the registration number PKS-NR. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Egon Erawan and copiloted by Captain Bas Koro. "The plane was carrying 13 passengers," Cahyo said in his statement on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
He explained that the plane departed from Tanah Merah Airport at 10:35 AM local time. The Boven Digoel Police received initial information about the shooting incident around 11:00 AM. "Upon landing, the aircraft was attacked with gunfire from the forest next to the airport area," he said.
A few minutes after the incident, the pilot sent an emergency message via Garmin GPS to the flight operations personnel. The message reported that they were shot at before running to save themselves in the forest.
A few hours later, precisely at 1:27 PM, the Boven Digoel Police received information that the incident resulted in the death of two people, namely the pilot and copilot of the aircraft. Meanwhile, 13 passengers, consisting of 12 adults and 1 baby, survived.
Up to now, the police are still investigating the shooting of the Smart Air aircraft and taking measures on the ground. "In connection with this incident, the Papua Regional Police has coordinated with the Task Force for the Peace Operation of Karten and will send a team led by the Deputy Chief of the Papua Regional Police," he said.
In a separate statement, the Director General of Air Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, mentioned that they received a similar report. The chartered flight has the type A/C C208B Ex with the route Tanah Merah (TMH) - Korowai Batu (DNW) - Tanah Merah (TMH).
"Until now, the Directorate General of Air Transportation continues to coordinate with the Airport Authority of Region X Merauke and the Head of Employee Service Units at Korowai Batu Airport," he said in a written statement.
Read: Smart Air Plane Shot at During Landing in Papua, Killing Two
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