Indonesia evaluates wildfire air operations following two crashes

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is thoroughly evaluating the safety of air operations in handling forest and land fires following the crash of two helicopters on Borneo.

BNPB Acting Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Head Berton Panjaitan said in Jakarta on Monday that the evaluation covers fleet technical readiness, water-bombing procedures, crew fitness, weather conditions, and location characteristics.

BNPB took the step following the crash of a Super Puma H-255 transport helicopter, registration number VH-HGM, in Tabatan Village, Kuripan sub-district, Barito Kuala district, South Kalimantan, on Sunday while carrying out a firefighting mission.

Previously, a Mi-17V-5 helicopter, registration number HA-5235, belonging to the Army Aviation Service, crashed while carrying out a wildfire response mission in Seruyan district, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday.

Panjaitan explained that in the Super Puma incident, missing crew member Yayan Supyansuri, an Indonesian citizen serving as helicopter landing officer, was found dead.

Supyansuri’s body was evacuated to the Jenamas Community Health Center in South Barito district, Central Kalimantan, before being transported to Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, two other crew members survived, Michael John Betterridge of Australia and Hugh Andrew John Page of New Zealand, and received medical treatment at an Air Force hospital.

The evacuation process was led by the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office, which deployed 18 personnel, alongside the local disaster mitigation agency (BPBD), the Air Force, the National Police, military village guidance officers (Babinsa), and local residents.

BNPB will facilitate an official investigation to determine the cause of the accident and prevent public speculation, Panjaitan added.

He noted that overall wildfire response efforts will continue by strengthening ground operations while the air fleet deployment undergoes a strict review.