A SAM Air de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, registered PK-SMH, crashed this morning during its approach to Bumi Panua Pohuwato Airport, tragically killing all four occupants on board. The victims include three crew members and one passenger. The aircraft, which departed from Gorontalo-Jalaluddin Airport at 07:02 AM local time, was nearing its destination when it went down in a rice field near the airport.

According to early reports, the plane encountered technical difficulties during its final approach. Contact with the aircraft was lost at approximately 07:22 AM, just minutes before its scheduled landing at 07:33 AM. Search and rescue teams later discovered the wreckage in a swamp near runway 27. The aircraft was found severely damaged, with its front section burned and wings destroyed.

The crash claimed the lives of pilot M. Saefurubi, first officer M. Arthur V.G., flight engineer Budijanto, and passenger Sri Meyke Male. Their bodies were recovered and taken to the Motolohu public health center in Pohuwato for initial identification before being transferred to the provincial capital to be returned to their families. The remains of the three crew members are scheduled to be flown to Jakarta and Balikpapan on Monday.

Gorontalo's Acting Governor, Rudy Salahuddin, expressed his deep condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “We mourn the tragic loss of lives in this crash and stand in solidarity with the families in their time of grief.”

SAM Air, officially known as PT Semuwa Aviasi Mandiri, operates primarily in remote regions of Indonesia, providing vital air services to areas with limited accessibility. The Twin Otter aircraft, known for their versatility in rugged environments, are an essential part of their fleet.

Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Early speculation suggests possible technical malfunctions, but further information will be revealed as the investigation unfolds.

This incident marks a tragic moment for Indonesia’s aviation industry, especially in the challenging terrain and isolated regions where services like SAM Air are a lifeline for residents.