Pilot Dies, Four Passengers Injured in Papua Plane Crash

Sentani, Papua - Pilot Captain Arnorld Burung died and four passengers were seriously injured in an AMA PK-RDC plane crash at Abmisibil airport, Okbibab, Pegunungan Bintang District, Papua Province, on Saturday at 7.40 am local time. The pilot's body and the four injured passengers were evacuated to Sentani, according to sources. The passengers in critical condition were rushed to Dian Harapan Hospital for intensive care, while Arnold's body was taken to Yowari Regional Public Hospital. The plane took off from Jayapura and headed to Okbibab. While landing at Okbibab airport, the aircraft skidded off the runway as far as one kilometer away and plunged into a ravine located in the left of the runway. The plane was later on fire and exploded. Senior Commissioner Wacahyono, a spokesman of the Papua provincial police, confirmed about the accident. The cause of the accident is not yet known as the AMA management could not be contacted. (*)