Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Into River During Wildfire Mission, Killing Crew Member as Two Pilots Survive

A helicopter crew member has died after a firefighting aircraft plunged into a river while collecting water to battle devastating wildfires in Indonesia. The crash happened on November 8, 2026, in South Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, as the helicopter was carrying out a water-bombing mission over fire-affected areas. Two other crew members survived the terrifying accident, but the tragedy has added to a growing death toll among those working to contain the country’s widespread fires.

The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC225LP Super Puma, was collecting water from the Barito River near Tabatan village in Barito Kuala Regency. Dramatic footage showed the helicopter hovering above the water before gradually losing control and plunging nose-first into the river. Local residents and rescue teams rushed to help those aboard as the wreckage became partially submerged.

The three people on board were eventually accounted for. Indonesian crew member Yayan Supyansuri, who worked as a helicopter landing officer, was initially reported missing. His body was recovered by divers later that evening. The two surviving crew members were identified as Australian national Michael John Betterridge and New Zealand national Hugh Andrew John Page. Both were rescued and taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the helicopter to crash. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the review would examine the aircraft’s technical condition, water-collection procedures, crew qualifications and fitness, as well as weather conditions at the time. The helicopter had been contracted to support the country’s aerial firefighting operations, which have become increasingly important as fires spread across several regions.

The tragedy came just four days after another helicopter crashed during a separate firefighting mission in Central Kalimantan on November 4. That military Mi-17V5 aircraft was carrying eight crew members when it crashed while preparing to collect water near Tanjung Puting National Park. Three crew members died, while others were injured and one was initially reported missing. The two accidents have raised serious concerns about the risks facing aviation crews battling Indonesia’s worsening wildfire emergency.

Indonesia has been struggling with extensive forest and land fires across Kalimantan, Sumatra and Papua. The blazes have destroyed large areas of land and sent thick smoke across parts of Southeast Asia, affecting neighboring countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Officials have attributed the worsening fire conditions partly to severe drought associated with a strong El Niño weather pattern. As rescue teams mourn their colleagues, firefighting operations continue, with authorities promising tighter safety reviews to prevent further tragedies.

Source: The Sun