Two pilots were shot and killed on the runway at a remote airport in South Papua, Indonesia, moments after landing their aircraft on February 11, 2026, while all 13 passengers survived the attack by fleeing into nearby forest.
The Smart Air aircraft landed at Korowai Batu Airport in Boven Digoel at 11:00 WIT after departing from Tanah Merah at 10:35 WIT. The flight carried 13 passengers, including one toddler, along with the two crew members who would later lose their lives in the attack.
Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Bas Koro were identified as the victims by Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, Head of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police. When gunmen opened fire on the aircraft, the pilots and passengers evacuated the plane and fled toward a forested area near the airport seeking safety.
Before the pilots could reach safety, they sent an emergency GPS message to authorities. “There’s no signal, please track it. In Koroway we’re being shot at,” the last message stated, according to local police reports.
The two pilots were then chased and captured from the forest by the attackers. AKBP Wisnu Perdana Putra, the Boven Digoel Police Chief, explained what happened next: “The pilot and co-pilot were chased by the perpetrator, taken out of the forest and back to the airport, then killed there. Both died on the spot.”
The pilots were executed on the runway while all passengers managed to survive the ordeal. Following the attack, the aircraft remained on the runway of Korowai Batu Airport, bearing visible evidence of the assault.
The plane sustained significant damage during the incident. Bullet holes damaged the aircraft fuselage, with windows smashed and doors left open. The fuel tank was punctured, causing a leak that left aviation fuel pouring onto the runway.
Indonesian security forces moved quickly to secure the area. Personnel from the Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force arrived at approximately 6:00 a.m. on February 12, 2026, to take control of the airport area. Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani, head of the Damai Cartenz 2026 operation, led the security response.
The deployment included 20 Damai Cartenz personnel and 12 Air Force special forces members working to secure the strategic location. The airport serves as a vital access point for communities in remote inland areas of South Papua, making its security essential for regional stability.
Authorities suspect the involvement of separatist armed groups in the attack. Specifically, investigators believe the Cannibal Battalion and Red Ant Battalion, based in Yahukimo and led by Elkius Kobak, were responsible for the assault. A manhunt remains ongoing for the attackers.
The bodies of the two crew members were evacuated to Timika for identification and autopsy procedures. Following these formalities, the remains were to be transported to Jakarta and handed over to the families. Captain Erawan’s body arrived at his family’s residence in East Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday afternoon.
The attack had ripple effects on the local community. Thirty-nine local residents fled to Senggo out of fear following the shooting. Security forces worked to restore calm so displaced residents could return home and normal activities could resume in the area.
Dave Laksono, Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, condemned the violence in strong terms. Laksono called the incident an “unacceptable humanitarian tragedy.” He added that thorough and transparent investigation was demanded to uncover the attackers and ensure legal accountability.
The incident occurred in Danowage Village, Yaniruma District, a remote region where access is primarily by air. Papua has experienced ongoing security challenges, with separatist groups operating in various districts across the mountainous terrain. The region’s remoteness makes it difficult for security forces to maintain constant presence at all locations.
Small aircraft operations are essential lifelines for communities throughout Papua’s interior, transporting passengers, medical supplies, and essential goods to areas unreachable by road. The Cessna 208 Caravan, the type of aircraft involved in this attack, is commonly used for such operations due to its reliability and ability to operate from short, unpaved airstrips.
This attack represents a dangerous escalation in targeting civilian aviation in the region. Previous incidents have involved shots fired at aircraft, but the deliberate execution of flight crew members marks a particularly deadly development. Aviation workers face unique vulnerabilities when operating in conflict-affected areas, as they must land at predetermined locations on regular schedules.
Indonesian authorities indicated they would tighten security measures at inland airports following the incident. The challenge lies in protecting numerous small airstrips scattered across Papua’s vast and difficult terrain, where government presence is often limited and insurgent groups can operate with relative freedom.
The survival of all 13 passengers, despite the terrifying circumstances, represents a fortunate outcome amid the tragedy. The passengers’ quick decision to flee into the forest likely saved their lives, though it ultimately could not protect the two pilots who attempted the same escape route.
Regional security remains a complex issue in Papua, where separatist movements have operated for decades. The Indonesian government has deployed various task forces to maintain order and protect civilians, but the remote geography and local sympathies for independence movements create persistent challenges for security operations.
Aviation safety experts note that civilian aircraft should never be military targets under international humanitarian law. Attacks on clearly marked civilian planes violate fundamental principles designed to protect non-combatants during conflicts. The deliberate targeting of unarmed pilots after they had already fled their aircraft represents a particularly egregious violation of these standards.
The incident highlights the personal risks faced by pilots and crew members who serve remote communities in conflict zones. These aviation professionals provide essential services to isolated populations, often knowing they may encounter security threats. The loss of Captain Erawan and Captain Koro removes experienced pilots who had demonstrated their commitment to serving Papua’s interior communities.
Smart Air, like other operators serving Papua’s remote regions, must now reassess security protocols for flights to vulnerable airports. The company faces difficult decisions about whether to continue service to locations where crew safety cannot be guaranteed, while also recognizing that suspending flights would further isolate communities that depend on air connections.
The investigation continues as security forces work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack. The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force maintains its presence in the area, working to restore security and enable normal operations to resume at Korowai Batu Airport. Whether this incident will lead to lasting changes in how aviation security is managed in Papua’s interior remains to be seen as authorities balance security concerns with the essential need to maintain air service to remote communities.
