In the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025, a routine helicopter flight over Indonesia’s lush Borneo forests took a sudden, harrowing turn. The Estindo Air BK 117 D3 helicopter, carrying eight people—including three foreign nationals—vanished after emitting white smoke and flying at a dangerously low altitude. The disappearance has since triggered one of the most extensive search and rescue operations in recent Indonesian memory, drawing in a coalition of local and international attention as families and officials alike anxiously await news.
The ill-fated helicopter departed Syamsir Alam Airport in Kotabaru district, South Kalimantan, at 8:46 am local time, bound for Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan. On board were pilot Captain Haryanto, technician Eng Hendra, American national Mark Werren, Indian national Santha Kumar, Brazilian national Claudine Quito, and Indonesian passengers Yudi Febrian, Andys Rissa Pasulu, and Iboy Irfan Rosa. The aircraft’s last contact with air traffic control was recorded at 8:54 am, just eight minutes after takeoff, as it flew near the Mandin Damar Waterfall in the mountainous Mentewe region of Tanah Bumbu district.
According to Antara, Indonesia’s state news agency, the first signs of trouble were reported by a local teacher and several students. They witnessed the helicopter flying unusually low, trailing white smoke—an ominous signal that something was seriously wrong. "A teacher and several students witnessed the helicopter flying low while releasing smoke. This was beyond the initial point of last contact according to flight radar data," stated I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency, on Tuesday. The aircraft was officially declared missing at 12:02 pm, after repeated attempts to reestablish communication failed.
The incident has cast a shadow over the region, with the search effort quickly escalating in scale and urgency. The operation now involves a joint force of 140 personnel, including police, military, local agencies, and volunteers. Two helicopters have been rotating in aerial sweeps, while ground teams comb through the dense, mountainous jungle on foot. The search covers a daunting 27-square-kilometer (10-square-mile) area—no small feat, given the challenging topography and the unpredictable weather that often blankets the region in thick clouds and heavy rain.
South Kalimantan Governor Muhidin described the immense difficulties facing the search teams. Heavy rainfall and dense cloud cover have repeatedly grounded aerial surveys, while the vast, unexplored forest poses significant logistical hurdles for ground crews. “The team will try to find access through the forest and reach the other side of the mountain. We hope they can find a route soon, and we ask for everyone’s prayers so the helicopter can be located quickly,” Sudayana added, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
The missing helicopter, an Airbus BK117 D-3, is owned by Indonesian charter company Eastindo Air. The model is widely used for both commercial and emergency services in Southeast Asia, known for its reliability in challenging environments. Yet, in this case, its disappearance has raised urgent questions about what went wrong. While the presence of white smoke suggests a possible engine or mechanical failure, officials have refrained from speculating until the wreckage is found and a formal investigation can begin.
The involvement of foreign nationals has also drawn international interest. Both the United States and India have been notified of the incident, with authorities in both countries expressing concern and offering support. The identities of the passengers—Mark Werren (USA), Santha Kumar (India), and Claudine Quito (Brazil)—have been confirmed, though little information has been released about their reasons for travel or their backgrounds. The remaining passengers and crew are all Indonesian citizens, and their families have been gathered in Kotabaru and Palangka Raya, anxiously awaiting updates.
Witness accounts have played a crucial role in shaping the search. The fact that the helicopter was seen flying low and emitting smoke beyond its last radar position has prompted search teams to expand their area of focus. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the SAR team is now investigating new locations, using both aerial and ground operations to cover every possible lead. The hope is that the combination of eyewitness testimony and flight data will help narrow the search and increase the chances of a timely rescue—or, at the very least, a swift recovery.
Despite the scale of the search, progress has been slow. The region’s rugged terrain, coupled with unpredictable weather, has made it nearly impossible for helicopters to descend or for ground teams to move quickly. “Heavy rainfall prevented the planned aerial survey of the suspected crash site. Dense cloud cover hindered helicopter descent, whilst the vast, unexplored forest presented significant access challenges,” Governor Muhidin explained, according to Antara.
As the days pass, the mood among searchers and families has grown increasingly tense. Yet, there remains a sliver of hope. The head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency, I Putu Sudayana, expressed optimism that the combined efforts of the 140-strong search team, along with the support of local communities, will eventually yield results. "Hopefully, with everyone’s prayers, today’s operation will be successful and we will be able to find the location of the incident," Sudayana said, as reported by the Associated Press.
In the wider context, the incident has highlighted the ongoing risks faced by air travelers in Indonesia, especially in remote and mountainous regions. While the country has made significant strides in aviation safety in recent years, the challenges posed by its geography and weather remain formidable. The disappearance of the Estindo Air helicopter is a stark reminder of how quickly routine flights can become emergencies, and how vital rapid, coordinated responses are in such situations.
For now, the search continues—by air and on foot, through rain and dense jungle. The world watches and waits, hoping that the efforts of those on the ground will soon bring answers to the families and friends of the eight missing souls.
