On February 11, 2026, two pilots were shot and killed just after landing at a remote South Papua, Indonesia airport, while the 13 passengers escaped unharmed into an adjacent forest.
The Smart Air aircraft had touched down at Korowai Batu Airport in Boven Digoel shortly after 11:00 a.m. WIT, following its departure from Tanah Merah at 10:35 a.m. WIT. The flight was carrying a total of 13 passengers, including a toddler, and the two crew members who were killed in the incident.
Papua Regional Police’s Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, identified the victims as Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Baskoro. As the assailants began shooting at the aircraft, the pilots and passengers evacuated and sought refuge.
Before they could make it to the safety of the forest, the pilots sent an emergency GPS message to authorities. “There’s no signal, please track it. In Koroway we’re being shot at,” was the final transmission, as per local police records.
Boven Digoel Police Chief AKBP Wisnu Perdana Putra, detailed the ensuing moments: “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.”
The aircraft was significantly damaged in the attack, with bullet holes puncturing the fuselage, smashed windows, and doors left ajar. The fuel tank was pierced, causing an aviation fuel leak onto the runway.
Indonesian security forces were quick to respond, securing the area. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force took over control of the airport area at around 6:00 a.m. on February 12, 2026, under the leadership of Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani, head of the Damai Cartenz 2026 operation.
The operation involved 20 Damai Cartenz personnel and 12 Air Force special forces members working to secure this strategic location. The airport is a crucial gateway for communities in South Papua’s remote inland regions, making its security vital for the region’s stability.
Authorities suspect separatist armed groups, specifically the Cannibal Battalion and Red Ant Battalion led by Elkius Kobak, were behind the attack. A manhunt is currently underway for the assailants.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) later claimed responsibility for the attack. Spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated the pilots were targeted because the airline “often carried Indonesian security forces throughout Papua,” a claim disputed by officials and the airline.
The bodies of the two crew members were transported to Timika for identification and autopsy. After these procedures, the remains were to be moved to Jakarta and handed over to the families. Captain Erawan’s body arrived at his family’s residence in East Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, the following afternoon.
The attack sparked fear in the local community, causing 39 residents to flee to Senggo. Security forces are working to restore peace and allow displaced residents to return home.
The incident took place in the remote region of Danowage Village, Kombai District, primarily accessible by air. Papua has been faced with continuous security issues from separatist groups operating across the mountainous terrain. The region’s remoteness makes it challenging for security forces to maintain a consistent presence.
Small aircraft operations are critical for Papua’s interior communities, ferrying passengers, medical supplies, and essential goods to areas unreachable by road. The Cessna 208 Caravan, the aircraft involved in this attack, is popular for such operations due to its reliability and capability to operate from short, unpaved airstrips.
Following the incident, Indonesian authorities announced they would increase security measures at inland airports. The challenge lies in protecting the numerous small airstrips scattered across Papua’s vast and rugged terrain, where government presence is often limited, and insurgent groups can operate with relative impunity.
Papua’s regional security continues to be complex, with separatist movements operating for decades. The Indonesian government has deployed various task forces to maintain order and protect civilians, but the remote geography and local support for independence movements create persistent challenges for security operations.
Smart Air, along with other operators serving Papua’s remote regions, must now reevaluate security protocols for flights to vulnerable airports. The company now faces tough decisions about continuing service to locations where crew safety cannot be guaranteed, while also acknowledging that suspending flights would further isolate communities that rely on air connections.
The investigation into the attack continues as security forces work to identify and apprehend those responsible. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force remains in the area, working to restore security and resume normal operations at Korowai Batu Airport. Whether this incident will bring about lasting changes in how aviation security is managed in Papua’s interior remains to be seen as authorities work to balance security concerns with the crucial need to maintain air service to remote communities.