Two pilots were shot and killed on the runway of a remote South Papua airport on February 11, 2026, shortly after their aircraft landed. All 13 passengers escaped unharmed by fleeing into the nearby forest.
The Smart Air aircraft touched down at Korowai Batu Airport in Boven Digoel a little after 11:00 a.m. WIT, following its 10:35 a.m. departure from Tanah Merah. On board were 13 passengers, including a young child, along with the two crew members who later lost their lives.
Papua Regional Police Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito confirmed the victims as Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Bas Koro. As gunfire erupted, both pilots and the passengers evacuated the plane and attempted to flee to safety.
The pilots managed to send an emergency GPS signal before reaching the treeline. Their last message read, “There’s no signal, please track it. In Koroway we’re being shot at,” according to police.
Boven Digoel Police Chief AKBP Wisnu Perdana Putra reported that the attackers chased the pilots into the forest, captured them, returned them to the runway, and executed them there. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
While the two pilots were killed on the runway, every passenger survived. The aircraft remained on the airstrip, showing extensive signs of the assault.
The plane was heavily damaged, with bullet holes in the fuselage, broken windows, open doors, and a ruptured fuel tank leaking aviation fuel onto the runway.
Indonesian security personnel rapidly moved to secure the location. Members of the Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force arrived around 6:00 a.m. on February 12, 2026, to take control of the airport. The operation was led by Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani.
The deployment involved 20 Damai Cartenz officers and 12 Air Force special forces members working to lock down the strategic airfield, which is crucial for reaching remote communities in South Papua’s interior.
Authorities believe the attack was carried out by separatist factions, particularly the Cannibal Battalion and Red Ant Battalion under Elkius Kobak in Yahukimo. A search for the suspects is underway.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), later claimed responsibility, alleging the airline “regularly transported Indonesian security forces throughout Papua,” a statement disputed by officials and the airline.
The two pilots’ remains were flown to Timika for identification and autopsy before being sent to Jakarta for release to their families. Captain Erawan’s body arrived in East Ciputat, South Tangerang, on the afternoon of February 12.
The violence also displaced local villagers, with thirty-nine people fleeing to Senggo in fear. Security teams worked to restore stability so residents could eventually return home.
The incident occurred in Danowage Village, Kombai District, a remote region dependent on air transport for access. Papua continues to face ongoing security issues linked to separatist movements in its rugged highlands.
Light aircraft remain essential in delivering passengers, medical aid, and cargo to isolated areas. The Cessna 208 Caravan involved in the attack is commonly used throughout Papua due to its reliability and short-runway capabilities.
This attack represents a significant escalation in violence against civilian aviation. Although aircraft have been shot at before, the deliberate killing of flight crew marks a particularly grave development. Aviation workers face heightened risk in regions affected by conflict.
Indonesian authorities announced plans to strengthen security at inland airports. However, guarding numerous small, remote airstrips across Papua’s vast and rugged terrain remains a major challenge as insurgent groups move easily across the landscape.
Papua’s security environment remains complicated, with separatist factions having operated in the region for decades. Task forces continue working to protect civilians, though geography and some local support for independence complicate their efforts.
Aviation authorities emphasize that civilian aircraft must never be targeted under international humanitarian law. Killing unarmed pilots who had already evacuated the plane constitutes a severe breach of these norms.
The tragedy highlights the dangers faced by flight crews serving remote communities in conflict zones. The deaths of Captains Erawan and Koro represent the loss of skilled professionals who supported some of Papua’s most isolated areas.
Smart Air, along with other operators serving Papua’s remote regions, must now reassess its safety protocols. The airline faces difficult decisions regarding continued service to high-risk locations while maintaining crew safety, knowing that suspending flights would severely impact dependent communities.
The investigation continues as security units search for those responsible. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force remains stationed at Korowai Batu Airport to maintain stability and support the eventual resumption of operations. It is unclear whether this attack will result in lasting changes to aviation security managed across Papua’s remote interior, as authorities weigh safety against the critical need for air access.
