BARITO KUALA, The Kabar News—A Super Puma helicopter contracted by Indonesia’s disaster agency crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan on Sunday, Nov. 8, while supporting an aerial operation against forest and land fires (karhutla).

The Eurocopter EC225LP, also known as the H225 Super Puma, carried three crew members when it went down near Tabatan village in Kuripan district, Barito Kuala regency. The aircraft bore the Australian registration VH-HGM.

Two foreign pilots survived the crash and received medical treatment. An initial report had incorrectly stated that all three crew members were safe, prompting the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to issue a correction.

In its official update at 3:16 p.m. WIB, BNPB said that Indonesian Helicopter Landing Officer Yayan Supyansuri remained missing. The agency identified the two survivors as Australian pilots, although another report identified one as a New Zealand citizen and the other as Australian.

A subsequent local report published at 6:20 p.m. WITA said rescuers had recovered Yayan’s body from the helicopter. However, BNPB had not published a corresponding update on its official website when this article was prepared. The discrepancy requires confirmation from BNPB or the National Search and Rescue Agency.

The Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office dispatched 18 personnel at 1:10 p.m. WITA. The crash site lies about 141 kilometers from its office and approximately 71 nautical miles from the Basirih SAR pier.

The team carried a rigid inflatable boat and diving equipment. Rescuers also brought an Aqua Eye underwater detector to locate objects below the river’s surface.

Personnel from the Air Force and police joined the operation. Local military officers and residents also supported the response, according to BNPB’s official accident update.

BNPB said rescuers had moved the damaged helicopter to the riverbank. Authorities focused on accounting for all crew members, treating the survivors and securing the aircraft for examination.

The helicopter crashed while conducting a water-bombing mission. Reports indicated that it lost control while maneuvering after collecting water from the river with a suspended bucket, but investigators have not established why the aircraft went down.

“At this time, we cannot conclude the cause of the accident,” acting BNPB data and communications chief Berton S.P. Panjaitan said. “We do not want to speculate about the cause before the official examination produces its findings.”

BNPB said it would support an investigation by the relevant aviation authorities. Investigators will need to examine the aircraft’s condition and maintenance records. They are also expected to review flight procedures, crew qualifications, weather and the operating environment.

The agency will conduct a broader safety review of its aerial firefighting operations. The evaluation will cover aircraft readiness and water-collection procedures. BNPB will also assess river currents, nearby obstacles and the space available for helicopter maneuvers.

The crash will not end firefighting operations in the region, BNPB said. Ground teams will continue responding to Karhutla while the agency reviews future aircraft deployments.

The incident highlights the risks faced by crews conducting low-altitude water-bombing missions. A credible investigation and publication of its findings will be essential to prevent a similar accident without weakening Indonesia’s capacity to respond to major fires.