Jayapura – The Indonesian Pilots Association (IPI) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the incident involving the PK-RCY aircraft in Papua. This incident is the second in 2026 that directly claimed the life of a pilot and endangered crew, passengers, and civil aviation operations in Papua.
“The recurrence of similar incidents in the same year demonstrates that the threat to civil aviation remains real and requires serious attention from all stakeholders,” said IPI Chairman, Capt. Muammar Reza Nugraha, in an official statement received by Kompas.com, Sunday (July 5, 2026).
As a professional organization representing Indonesian pilots, IPI emphasizes that any form of attack, intimidation, violence, destruction, or arson against civil aircraft and aviation personnel is intolerable.
“Such actions are intolerable because they not only threaten human life but also disrupt air transportation services, which are vital for public mobility, logistics distribution, and health services in Papua,” he said. Muammar Reza also stated that pilots and crew of civil aviation aircraft carry out their public service duties and should not be subjected to threats or violence of any kind.
“The safety and security of civil aviation must be a shared priority, and incidents like this must never happen again,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (IPI) expressed its appreciation to all parties involved in handling this incident, including flight operators, security forces, ground personnel, and others who provided support and information. “We, the IPI, will continue to coordinate with regulators, flight operators, security forces, the government, and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations to encourage the strengthening of civil aviation security in Papua,” he concluded. Previously, the Cartensz Peace Operation Task Force stated that the Bakusip armed group (KKB) led by M Mbalingga was the perpetrator of the arson and shooting of the pilot of the PK RCY aircraft belonging to PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) at Ipdeheik Airport, Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on July 2, 2026.
