Rescue Team Sent to Papua Plane Crash Site
Thursday, 02 July, 2009 | 21:35 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jayapura: A rescue operation for the Avia Star plane which crashed in Papua on Monday began on Wednesday. A search and rescue team supported by officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and Air Certification Directorate were deployed to mountainous Tangma District in Yahukimo Regency, east of Mimika.

The operation began a day after a pilot working for the Associated Mission

Aviation, Daud Mongdong, reported that he had spotted the missing Avia Star plane while flying over the area on Wednesday with a co-pilot and a technician.

The PK-BRO DHC Avia Star aircraft was declared missing after air traffic

control said communication with the plane was cut during its flight from Dekai airstrip to Wamena airport.

In its press release, the Papua Search and Rescue Team announced that the Aia Star had crashed into a mountain slope in Tangma District, 9,600 feet above sea level, 14 miles from Wamena or at 04.15.65 degrees south latitude and 139.00.57 east longitude. According to the press release, "We have not been able to ascertain whether any of the three-member crew is alive or dead.”

CUNDING LEVI