Airplane crashes in Malinau, three crew members dead

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan (Antara): Three crew members died Saturday when a Dirgantara Air Service aircraft crashed in Malinau regency, East Kalimantan.

The airline's regional manager, Ramly Effendi Siregar, said the NC-212-200 light transport aircraft had three crew members: pilot Sumiskum, co-pilot Clifford Wattimena and mechanic Darsono.

The aircraft took off from Juwata airport in Tarakan en route to Long Ampung in Malinau.

Metro TV reported the airplane was carrying solar panels to Long Ampung and that there were no other passengers aboard.

"The aircraft took off at 8:10 a.m. local time (7:10 a.m. in Jakarta) and had its last contact with Long Ampung at about 9:35 a.m. local time," said Ramly.

"However, the aircraft still had not landed well after noon and we were unable to contact it."

Another aircraft reportedly received a signal from the missing aircraft some three miles from Long Ampung.