JAKARTA: Eight people were killed after a helicopter crashed shortly after take-off on Borneo island, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Friday.
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The aircraft, an Airbus H130 operated by PT Matthew Air Nusantara, lost contact just five minutes after departing from Melawi district in West Kalimantan on Thursday.
A helicopter flying between palm oil plantations on Borneo Island has crashed, killing the eight people on board. https://t.co/vHIUikxbjA
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 17, 2026
Officials said the helicopter was flying between palm oil plantation sites and was en route to Kubu Raya district when it disappeared from radar. A search operation was immediately launched involving rescue teams from the National Search and Rescue Agency and transportation officials.
The wreckage was later located in a forested area of Sekadau district, where teams recovered the bodies of all eight individuals on board, including two crew members and six passengers. Authorities confirmed that one of the victims was a Malaysian national.
Initial findings suggest the helicopter went down in dense terrain, making rescue efforts difficult. Investigators have begun examining possible causes, though no official reason has yet been identified.
Aviation authorities said technical inspections and safety checks would be carried out as part of the inquiry. The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety in remote regions where helicopters are frequently used for transport between industrial locations.
Officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged a thorough investigation into the incident.
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The tragedy highlights the operational risks associated with flying in challenging environments, particularly in areas with rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.