How Did 3 Soldiers Die in a Mi-17 Helicopter Crash During Firefighting in Tanjung Puting?
What happened
Three Indonesian Army soldiers died when a Mi-17 helicopter belonging to the Army Aviation Centre (Penerbad) crashed in Tanjung Puting, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday 4 November 2026. The helicopter went down in waters near Sungai Perlu village, in the Danau Sembuluh area of Seruyan regency, while it was taking water for water-bombing operations against forest and land fires, Kanal Kalimantan reported.
The crash happened at about 11.00am local time. The helicopter was carrying eight crew members. Three crew members died, and the other five were treated at a health facility after being evacuated.
The crew
- The three crew members named as killed were pilot Captain Cpn Nanda Adha, co-pilot First Lieutenant Cpn Raden Tofan, and mechanic Sergeant Doni Irawan.
- The five other crew members were evacuated and treated at the Kuala Pembuang community health centre (Puskesmas), where they were reported to be conscious.
- The helicopter was on a water-bombing mission in the Tanjung Puting area, which includes Tanjung Puting National Park, when the accident happened.
Emergency response
A joint search-and-rescue team from the military, police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and local agencies worked at the scene on Wednesday night, including to reach a crew member trapped in the water. The commander of Military Regional Command XXII/Tambun Bungai, Major General Zainul Arifin, confirmed the incident and said the helicopter was carrying out water bombing in the Tanjung Puting area when it crashed.
What happens next
The cause of the crash was not stated in the report, and the military was expected to investigate. The report expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers who died.
Frequently asked questions
How many soldiers died in the Tanjung Puting helicopter crash?
Three crew members died, and the other five of the eight people on board were treated at a health facility.
What was the helicopter doing when it crashed?
It was taking water for water-bombing operations against forest and land fires in the Tanjung Puting area.
Where and when did the crash happen?
In waters near Sungai Perlu village, in the Danau Sembuluh area of Seruyan regency, Central Kalimantan, at about 11.00am on 4 November 2026.
Who confirmed the incident?
Major General Zainul Arifin, commander of Military Regional Command XXII/Tambun Bungai, confirmed the crash and the water-bombing mission.
In this story
- Indonesia: live accidents and road deaths
- Driving laws in Indonesia
- Plane crashes and air incidents this month
More from Indonesia
- How Did a Land Cruiser Driver Become a Suspect After a Fatal Pile-Up in Perawang, Siak? ·
- How Did 6 People Die When a Cement Mixer Truck Hit a Crowd in Rawalumbu, Bekasi? ·
- How Did 186 Crashes in 4 Days of Operasi Patuh Candi Leave 6 People Dead in Central Java? ·
- How Did 1 Person Die When a Brake-Failure Lorry Hit a Motorcycle in Druju, Malang? ·
- How Did a Teenage Motorcyclist Die on the Jogja–Magelang Road in Sleman? ·
- How Did 3 People Die in a Bus–Truck Crash on the Ngawi–Solo Toll Road? ·
More from the tracker
Watch accidents unfold in real time on the live world map, check the 2026 statistics, or browse all articles.