INDONESIA'S National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed 430 personnel in a joint operation to locate a missing Estindo Air helicopter that lost contact shortly after take-off on Monday morning.
The BK117 D3 aircraft departed from Kotabaru Airport in South Kalimantan at 8:46am local time en route to Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, with an estimated arrival time of 10:15am. However, communication was lost with air traffic control at Kotabaru Airport just eight minutes into the flight.
Basarnas Deputy for Operations and Preparedness, Edy Prakoso, confirmed that the helicopter’s last known position was detected near the Mandidamar Waterfall area in the dense Mantewe forest region, Tanah Bumbu.
“The search team comprises personnel from SAR offices in Banjarmasin and Palangkaraya, the military (TNI), police (Polri), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), fire department and other SAR units,” said Edy.
The helicopter was carrying eight individuals: Captain Haryanto (pilot), Eng Hendra, Mark Werren, Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, Santha Kumar, Claudine Quito and Iboy Irfan Rosa. So far, all crew and passengers remain officially listed as missing.
Search efforts are being conducted by land and air, with teams also deploying thermal drones to detect human body heat within the thick jungle terrain.
Authorities have yet to confirm any signs of wreckage or survivors. The operation is ongoing.News agencies reported on Monday that the BK117-D3 helicopter operated by Eastindo is feared to have crashed in the remote highlands of Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, after losing contact near the Mandin Damar Waterfall in Mantewe District.
According to preliminary reports from AirNav Banjarmasin, the aircraft lost communication at the coordinates 3°06'54.58" S and 115°41'21.62" E.
The helicopter was carrying eight people at the time, including the pilot, engineers, and passengers. As of this update, all crew and passengers remain officially listed as missing.
A combined search and rescue team has been deployed to the last known coordinates. Ground teams from the Batulicin SAR standby unit have been dispatched to the area, which is approximately 71.5 kilometres from their base.
The terrain is dense and mountainous, adding difficulty to the ongoing efforts. - Sept 2, 2025
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