February 20, 2026 | 07:36 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Charter airline PT Pelita Air Service has stated that the Air Tractor AT-802 plane, registered as PK-PAA, which crashed near Long Bawan Airport, North Kalimantan, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, was fully airworthy. This official statement followed the accident report confirming that the crash claimed the pilot's life.
Pelita Air Corporate Secretary, Patria Rhamadonna, noted that the 2013-manufactured aircraft had undergone its most recent routine maintenance just days prior. "The plane was airworthy and had completed its latest routine maintenance on February 15, 2026," Patria confirmed in a written statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
According to the company, the aircraft was performing a routine distribution mission as part of the One Price BBM program. The flight departed from Juwata Tarakan Airport at 10:22 a.m. local time and landed safely at Long Bawan Airport at 11:24 a.m. local time, carrying a cargo of fuel.
Upon arrival in Long Bawan, ground crews began the unloading process. Once finished, the plane was prepared for its return flight to Tarakan without cargo, departing at 12:10 p.m. local time. However, at 12:30 p.m. local time, Pelita Air’s Jakarta headquarters received initial reports that the aircraft had allegedly crashed a short distance from Long Bawan Airport.
Following coordination between the company, Tarakan Air Force Base, Basarnas, and the local community to conduct a search, the wreckage was located at 1:25 p.m. local time. The pilot, 54-year-old Capt. Hendrick Lodewyck Adam, was subsequently evacuated in a deceased condition at 2:33 p.m. local time, and his body was transported to Pratama Long Bawan Hospital, arriving at 3:20 p.m. local time.
The pilot had been with the company since July 2021 and possessed an extensive flying record of more than 8,000 hours. Patria stated that Pelita Air would fulfill all rights and compensation due to the bereaved family and provide full assistance throughout the mourning period.
Pelita Air will dispatch a joint team alongside the National Transportation Safety Committee on February 20, 2026, to begin investigating the cause of the accident. The company is currently coordinating with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the investigation remains transparent and comprehensive.
Read: Pelita Air Charter Plane Crashes in North Kalimantan, Killing Pilot
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