ASIATODAY.ID, NUNUKAN — A routine fuel distribution mission to Indonesia’s remote border region ended in tragedy after a charter aircraft operated by PT Pelita Air Service crashed near Long Bawan, Nunukan Regency, on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The aircraft, an Air Tractor AT-802 registered PK-PAA, had just completed delivery under Indonesia’s “One-Price Fuel” program before reportedly going down on its return leg to Tarakan.
The sole pilot on board, Captain Hendrick Lodewyck Adam (54), was confirmed dead following evacuation.
Timeline of the Crash
According to an official statement from Pelita Air management, PK-PAA departed Juwata Airport in Tarakan at 10:22 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA), bound for Long Bawan Airport, carrying fuel supplies.
The aircraft landed safely at 11:24 a.m., and ground personnel promptly unloaded the cargo. After completing the delivery, the plane prepared for its return flight to Tarakan without cargo at 12:10 p.m.
However, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Pelita Air’s headquarters in Jakarta received initial information that the aircraft was suspected to have crashed not far from Long Bawan Airport.
Immediate coordination was established with the Tarakan Air Force Base, local search and rescue authorities, and residents. After an intensive search, the crash site was located at 1:25 p.m.
The pilot was evacuated at 2:33 p.m. and was pronounced dead. His remains were transported to Long Bawan Regional Hospital, arriving at 3:20 p.m. Plans were made to transfer the body to Tarakan on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 9:50 a.m., before being flown to Jakarta for burial arrangements.
Aircraft Airworthy, Investigation Underway
The aircraft involved was a 2013-manufactured Air Tractor AT-802. Pelita Air stated that the plane was airworthy and had undergone its most recent routine maintenance on February 15, 2026.
Captain Adam had joined Pelita Air in July 2021 and had accumulated more than 8,000 flight hours.
A joint investigation team from Pelita Air and the Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) is scheduled to depart for Long Bawan on February 20 to determine the cause of the accident.
Coordination is also being conducted with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transportation.
Pelita Air expressed deep condolences to the pilot’s family and affirmed that all entitlements and compensation would be fully provided.
Risks of Frontier Aviation
The incident underscores the operational challenges of delivering essential fuel supplies to remote border regions such as Krayan and Long Bawan, where rugged mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions make air transport both vital and high-risk.
While the One-Price Fuel program aims to ensure equal access to energy across Indonesia, Thursday’s crash highlights the human cost and logistical dangers involved in sustaining connectivity in frontier regions.
Pelita Air reiterated its commitment to aviation safety and pledged full transparency throughout the investigation process. (AT Network)
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