Jayapura, Jubi – The pilot of the Semuwa Aviation Mandiri (SAM) Air, M Farhan Fachri, managed to save himself when the plane he was carrying was shot at by armed groups at Kenyam Airport, Nduga Regency on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Farhan escaped the gunfire after jumping into the sewers and taking cover for a while.
Director of SAM Air Wagus Hidayat said the plane flown by M Farhan Fachri departed from Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya Regency on Tuesday morning. The plane carried passengers and a number of basic necessities to Kenyam.
“However, after landing and parking in the courtyard of Kenyam Airport for approximately 5 minutes, the plane was shot at by a group of people. The pilot immediately saved himself,” said Wagus on Tuesday.
Farhan managed to save himself by jumping into the sewer and sheltering there for a while. He finally jumped out of it and was helped by a number of residents and security forces.
When the shooting occurred, Wagus said, there was no security personnel on duty at Kenyam Airport. Whereas Nduga Regency is one of the conflict hotspots in Papua.
“This is based on the testimony of our pilot, and indeed I have confirmed by telephone there was no Kopasgat air force personnel there, only Mobile Brigade personnel and the Army,” he said.
Wagus said the plane was badly damaged after being fired upon. There were dozens of shots at the plane hitting a number of important aircraft instruments.
“Currently we have placed two technicians to examine the damage to the plane. Hopefully there will be results in the near future,” he explained.
He added that flight routes in vulnerable areas have become SAM Air’s vision and mission in serving the people in Papua. “We hope that the government is really serious about providing maximum security to every flight,” he concluded. (*)
