Pelita Air Charter Plane Crashes in North Kalimantan, Killing Pilot

8 hours ago 3

February 19, 2026 | 09:54 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An Air Tractor AT-802 operated by Pelita Air Service crashed in the mountainous area of Pabetung Remayo, East Krayan District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The fuel-carrying chartered aircraft was previously scheduled to fly to Tarakan.

The Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, said the plane was boarded by one pilot. "The latest information we obtained at 3:16 p.m. local time, the pilot named Captain Hendrick Lodewyck Adam was declared dead," he said in his written statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

He said the plane had undergone routine inspection as part of the airworthiness check. The total flying hours of the plane reached 3,303 hours, with the last record on February 11, 2026.

"The investigative process will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations by relevant authorities," he said.

Meanwhile, the body of the Pelita Air pilot has been evacuated by Indonesian military personnel. The evacuation was carried out by the Indonesian-Malaysian Border Security Task Force along with personnel from the Nunukan military regional command (Kodim).

The TNI soldiers found the Pelita Air plane to be severely damaged and burned. Currently, the joint personnel are trying to search for the plane's black box and other materials for further investigation.

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