A Bell 412 helicopter operated by charter firm PT Nyaman Air has crashed in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, killing ten.
Indonesian authorities lost contact with the helicopter shortly after it took off from the city of Manado at 2:30pm local time on 3 August, said Australia's Newcrest Mining, which had personnel aboard the helicopter. The Bell 412 was bound for the Gosowong gold mine on the nearby island of Halmahera.
"The cause of the crash is not yet know," said Newcrest. "There was an extensive search by air and land culminating in the discovery of the helicopter early this morning."
One survivor was found at the crash site, but he later died of his injuries, said Newcrest. Of the helicopter's occupants, eight were employees and contractors of Newcrest, while two were crew. Those killed in the crash included Indonesians, South Africans, and Australians.
The helicopter was chartered by mine operator PT Halmahera, a gold mining joint venture between Newcrest and Indonesian mining firm Aneka Tambang.
Nyaman Air declined to comment on the crash.
Source: Flight International
