World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
Indonesia to Review Helicopter Safety After Two Firefighting Crashes
Two helicopters crashed during forest-firefighting work in Kalimantan, Indonesia, within about a week.
The first, an Indonesian Army helicopter, crashed while collecting water for firefighting in Central Kalimantan on November 4, killing three soldiers and injuring five others.
A chartered Super Puma crashed into the Barito River on November 8, killing one crew member; two other crew members were found alive.
Both aircraft were supporting water-bombing operations, in which helicopters collect and drop water to fight fires.
The crashes have raised questions about safety procedures for crews collecting water from rivers or the sea.
Indonesia’s disaster agency chief, Kristomei Sianturi, said the agency would review its procedures, including whether crew members should wear life jackets.
Firefighting operations will continue with closer attention to safety, the agency said.
Indonesia’s disaster agency will review aviation safety procedures after two helicopters crashed during forest-firefighting operations in Kalimantan within about a week.
The first crash killed three personnel and injured five others.
A Super Puma crashed into the Barito River on November 8, killing one crew member.
The agency said the review would examine safety during water-bombing operations, including whether crews should wear life jackets when collecting water.
BNPB said firefighting would continue with closer attention to safety.
- Who
- Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), led by Kristomei Sianturi, announced the review.
- What
- BNPB will review aviation safety procedures after two firefighting helicopter crashes.
- When
- The announcement was reported on November 9, 2026; the crashes occurred within about a week, with the Super Puma crash on November 8.
- Where
- The crashes occurred in Kalimantan, Indonesia; the Super Puma went down in the Barito River in South Kalimantan.
- Why
- To assess crew safety and help prevent similar incidents during disaster-response missions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An Indonesian Army helicopter crashed while fighting fires in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, killing three personnel and injuring five.
A Super Puma crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan during water-bombing operations, killing one crew member.
BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi pledged a review of aviation safety procedures for disaster-response missions.
- First crash
- Mi-17 V5 helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Army Aviation Center
- First crash casualties
- 3 personnel killed and 5 injured
- Second crash
- Super Puma in the Barito River, South Kalimantan, on November 8
- Second crash casualties
- 1 crew member killed; 2 crew members found alive
- Review
- BNPB will assess safety procedures for water-bombing operations
2 sources
What people are saying
Going forward, we will evaluate the standard operating procedures for water-bombing operations. For example, should crew members wear life jackets when collecting water from the sea or rivers? We will assess such procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening again,
We want to emphasize that this incident does not reduce the government’s commitment to continue handling forest and land fires. Firefighting operations must continue, but they must be carried out with strict attention to safety,
The accident occurred while the helicopter was collecting seawater for water bombing,