Dozens of people, including women and children, flocked to help the security officials when pulling SAM Air that slipped in Beoga Airport, Puncak Regency, Central Papua.
The Head of Beoga Police, AKP Donny Bisai explained that their actions were spontaneous after they saw a plane slipped at the location, Monday (1/23) morning.
“There are about 70 of them,” said Donny. “They did it initiatively,” says Donny, Monday.
Their warm actiosn amidst the tragedy have been recorded and had gone viral in social media.
Donny says they need at least 20 minutes to pull the plane that he says have the weight about 2,5 tons.
“It takes atleast 20 minutes to pull the plane because we have to rest for awhile,” said Donny. Donny also says that officials didn’t ask for help to the community.
But the people helps nonetheless, sincerely.
“It the spontaneity from the people. Before that, we have to dig the tires (that slipped) and put on the slings, but suddenly people came and grab the rope, trying to help,” said Donny.
Donny explained that Beoga truly treasures their airport. Indeed, there is a small path that connects Beoga to the other parts of Central Papua, but it will take days to get through it.
Airport considered to be vital for Beoga as it is the only fast access to region.
Donny says that the span for air traffic in Beoga is only two hours, from 06:00 to 08:00, saying that after 08:00, the weather changed very quickly raising the risk for flights.
SAM Air itself was slipped while trying to land at Beoga Airport, Monday (1/23).
“It happened around 07:30. According to info pilot, the plane was trying to avoid a black cloud by pulled a bit high, then went down. However, their landing position is a bit sideways causing them to slipped,” said Donny.
The 11 crews inside the plane, alongside with the passangers, are safe from the tragedy.