Three survive helicopter plunge into river during Indonesia wildfire-fighting mission

Dramatic video footage showed the firefighting helicopter being slowly dragged downward after filling its bucket from the Barito River, eventually plunging nose-first into the water. — Screengrab via video on social media

First Published: Sunday, 08 Nov 2026 5:18 PM MYT

Last Modified: Sunday, 08 Nov 2026 5:23 PM MYT

JAKARTA, Nov 8 — All three crew members aboard a helicopter deployed for aerial firefighting operations narrowly escaped death after it crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan province, Indonesia, on Sunday.

National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre acting head Berton Panjaitan said the Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma helicopter went down while conducting water-bombing operations to combat forest and land fires.

He said amateur video footage showed the helicopter apparently losing control while manoeuvring after collecting water from the river using a Bambi Bucket, a device used in aerial firefighting.

“All three crew members were successfully evacuated, and the helicopter has been moved to the riverbank,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Berton identified the crew members as Australian national Michael John Betteridge, New Zealand national Hugh Andrew John Page and Indonesian national Yayan.

According to him, the helicopter, bearing registration number VH-HGM and serial number 2878, was privately owned and contracted by BNPB to support aerial firefighting operations.

Berton said a detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the crash and its exact cause was being prepared for submission to the public and relevant authorities.

Sunday’s incident came four days after an Indonesian Army Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed during a water-bombing operation in Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan, on Nov 4, killing three crew members and injuring five others. — Bernama