Two pilots were killed when their aircraft landed at a remote airport in South Papua, Indonesia, on Feb. 11, 2026, after being ambushed on the runway. All 13 passengers escaped the assault by fleeing into the surrounding forest.
The Smart Air flight arrived at Korowai Batu Airport in Boven Digoel shortly after 11 a.m. WIT, following a 10:35 a.m. WIT departure from Tanah Merah. The plane carried 13 passengers, including a toddler, along with two crew members who would later be found dead.
Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, spokesperson for the Papua Regional Police, confirmed the victims as Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Bas Koro. As gunfire erupted, both pilots and the passengers exited the aircraft and attempted to hide in the nearby woods.
Before the pilots could reach cover, they managed to send an emergency GPS alert. The final message received, according to local police, read, “There’s no signal, please track it. In Koroway we’re being shot at.”
The pilots were then chased down and captured by the attackers in the forest. AKBP Wisnu Perdana Putra, the Boven Digoel police chief, recounted the events: “The pilot and copilot were chased by the perpetrator, taken out of the forest and back to the airport, then killed there. Both died on the spot.”
Although the passengers survived, the pilots were executed on the runway. After the assault, the aircraft remained positioned at Korowai Batu Airport, displaying clear evidence of gunfire damage.
The plane sustained significant harm, including bullet holes in the fuselage, shattered windows, open doors, and a punctured fuel tank that spilled aviation fuel across the runway.
Indonesian security forces swiftly moved in to secure the scene. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force arrived at around 6 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2026, to take control of the airport. Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani led the security operation.
The security team consisted of 20 Damai Cartenz personnel and 12 members of the Indonesian Air Force Special Forces. The airport serves as a vital gateway for residents in South Papua’s isolated inland regions, making its protection essential for regional stability.
Officials suspect separatist armed factions were responsible for the ambush. Investigators believe the Cannibal Battalion and Red Ant Battalion, operating in Yahukimo under the leadership of Elkius Kobak, carried out the attack. The manhunt continues.
A spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, later asserted responsibility. Sambom claimed the pilots were targeted because the airline “often carried Indonesian security forces throughout Papua,” an allegation previously denied by air operators.
The bodies of the two crew members were transported to Timika for identification and autopsy. Afterward, they were flown to Jakarta for release to their families. Captain Erawan’s remains reached his home in East Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, on the afternoon of Feb. 12.
The incident sparked fear among locals, prompting 39 residents to seek refuge in Senggo. Security personnel worked to restore order so that displaced villagers could safely return and daily activities could resume.
The attack occurred in Danowage Village, Kombai District, a secluded area reachable mainly by air. Papua continues to face long-running security tensions due to separatist activity across its mountainous regions, where the terrain limits consistent government presence.
Small aircraft services are essential for the survival of remote communities across Papua, transporting passengers, medical supplies, and critical goods to areas inaccessible by road. The Cessna 208 Caravan involved in the attack is widely used in such regions due to its durability and ability to operate from short, rugged airstrips.
The incident marks a significant escalation in the targeting of civilian aviation in the area. While aircraft have been fired upon before, the intentional killing of flight crew represents a far deadlier development. Aviation workers in conflict zones face heightened risk due to their fixed landing schedules and predetermined routes.
Following the attack, Indonesian authorities announced stronger security measures for inland airports. However, safeguarding the many small airstrips scattered throughout Papua’s challenging terrain remains a major obstacle, as insurgent groups can move freely in areas with limited state oversight.
In a rare move, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation halted operations at 11 pioneer airports across Papua on Feb. 16. Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F. Laisa stated the suspension would stay in place until security forces could guarantee safe flight operations and compliance with aviation standards. The closures affected Korowai Batu Service Unit in South Papua, along with Bomakia, Yaniruma, Manggelum, Kapiraya, Iwur, Faowi, Dagai, Aboy, and Teraplu aerodromes—critical links for isolated communities.
Security challenges persist in Papua, where separatist groups have operated for decades. Although the government has deployed various task forces to safeguard civilians, the difficult geography and local sympathy for independence movements continue to complicate operations.
Aviation experts warn that civilian aircraft cannot be considered military targets under international humanitarian law. Targeting clearly identified civilian planes violates core principles meant to protect non-combatants during conflict. The deliberate killing of unarmed pilots after evacuation represents a grave breach of these norms.
This tragedy highlights the dangers faced by pilots and crew serving remote regions affected by conflict. These aviation workers play a crucial role in supporting isolated communities, often despite known security risks. The deaths of Captain Erawan and Captain Koro deprive Papua’s interior of two experienced and dedicated pilots.
Smart Air, like other operators serving Papua’s remote areas, must now reconsider its safety procedures for flights to high-risk airports. The company faces a difficult choice between protecting crew and maintaining essential air links for communities that depend on them.
The investigation remains ongoing as security teams work to track down those responsible. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force is still deployed in the region, focusing on restoring security and ensuring operations at Korowai Batu Airport can resume. The future of aviation safety protocols in Papua’s interior remains uncertain as authorities weigh security needs against the vital role air travel plays for remote communities.