At the end of 2024, the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) held a media release event at its head office in Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (Dec 17, 2024). During the event, the KNKT addressed a range of issues across various modes of transportation, including significant concerns within the aviation sector, reports inaca.

Throughout 2024, the number of incidents in the aviation sector saw a slight increase compared to 2023. As of early December, nine accidents and 15 serious incidents had been investigated. In comparison, 2023 recorded the same number of accidents (nine) but only 13 serious incidents. The number of casualties also rose in 2024, with 11 fatalities and four serious injuries reported. By contrast, 2023 saw six fatalities and no serious injuries.

In his remarks, KNKT Chairman Soerjanto Tjahjono highlighted several critical issues in national aviation that warranted special attention in 2024. One key concern was Indonesia’s commitment to international aviation standards, particularly the Global Reporting Format (GRF) for braking action, which was supposed to be implemented in April 2021. However, as of the end of 2024, this implementation had yet to occur.

Additionally, flight operations in Papua remain a significant challenge, particularly concerning pilot hypoxia during flights in the region. The KNKT has conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with aviation stakeholders in Papua, resulting in 18 actionable agreements that need implementation. The committee has also partnered with Lakespra Dr. Saryanto of the Indonesian Air Force to raise awareness about hypoxia. “Pilots experiencing hypoxia often don’t recognize the symptoms. Interestingly, even individuals in good health may not always be fit to fly,” Chairman Soerjanto continued.

According to Capt. Nurcahyo Utomo, Head of the Aviation Accident Investigation Sub-Committee, several prominent incidents occurred in 2024:

1. Serious Incident: An Airbus A320 pilot fell asleep mid-flight while en route from Haluoleo Airport (KDI) in Kendari to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Tangerang, Banten.

2. Accident: A Pilatus Porter aircraft experienced Controlled Flight Into or Toward Terrain (CFIT) during a flight from Juwata Airport (TRK) in Tarakan to Binuang Airport, Nunukan, resulting in one fatality.

3. Accident: A Bell 505 helicopter crashed during a flight from the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Helipad due to contact with a kite string

4. Accident: A Tecnam P2006T aircraft crashed in the Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) area, resulting in three fatalities.

5. Accident: A Twin Otter aircraft experienced Loss of Control In Flight (LOC-I) in Pohuwato Regency, Sulawesi, causing four fatalities.

6. Serious Incident: A Boeing 737-500 aircraft encountered a cabin safety event (CABIN) at Sentani International Airport (DJJ) in Jayapura.

Additionally, KNKT recorded several safety issues in 2024, including:

1. The absence of standard provisions from ICAO regarding medical examinations for aviation engineers.

2. Inadequate supervision by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on the implementation of airport operating regulations.

3. A lack of detailed guidance and procedures for aircraft operators to assess the physical and mental condition of pilots before flights.

4. Insufficient flight route guidance provided by aircraft operators.

5. A recent increase in RTB (Return to Base), RTA (Rejected Takeoff), and RTO (Return to Origin) incidents caused by technical issues, largely due to airlines facing difficulties in acquiring spare parts.

6. Ineffective implementation of the Global Reporting Format for braking-action, both from the pilots’ and airports’ perspectives.

7. A persistently high number of air proximity (airprox) incidents, highlighting the need for effective resolution strategies.

8. Ongoing research on the effects of hypoxia and pilot fitness in non-pressurized flights, particularly in Papua.

9. Suboptimal wildlife management, necessitating continued reviews and research to effectively reduce wildlife and bird strike incidents.

10. Challenges in airspace management in Papua, where guidance services are lacking; daily operations rely on Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA) on VHF, while airspace publications use HF communication.

11. An inaccurate terrain database, with some mountain heights recorded as higher or lower than their actual measurements.