American Pilot Feared Captured After Armed Group Burns Mission Plane in Indonesia's Papua

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — An American missionary pilot is feared to have been captured after an armed group attacked and burned an Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) aircraft shortly after it landed at a remote airstrip in Indonesia's conflict-hit Papua region on Thursday, according to witness accounts and preliminary local reports.

The aircraft, registered PK-RCY, was reportedly attacked around 9:15 a.m. local time (0015 GMT) after landing at Ipdeheik Airport in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, one of Papua's most isolated mountainous areas.

The incident underscores the persistent security risks facing civilian aviation and humanitarian operations in Indonesia's easternmost province, where armed separatist groups have repeatedly targeted aircraft, pilots, and remote infrastructure.

Missionary airlines play a critical role in transporting people, food, medicine, and supplies to communities that are inaccessible by road, making aviation security a key concern for humanitarian organizations operating in Papua.

Pilot Feared Captured

According to messages exchanged by another pilot flying nearby, the AMA aircraft was already engulfed in flames on the runway when it was spotted from the air.

"AMA plane is burned at the top of the runway in Balinggama. Couldn't see anyone around the aircraft or runway area. I've let the guys at AMA know," the witness wrote in a text message obtained by Investortrust.

The pilot later added:

"I'll head back to Wamena for now."

The witness also said the aircraft's pilot, Nicholas F. Gosselin, an American from Alaska, was believed to have been taken by the armed group.

"American. I think it's going to be different than Phil," the witness wrote, referring to the pilot's nationality while expressing concern over his fate.

Investortrust could not independently verify the claim.

Conflicting Reports Over Pilot's Fate

Preliminary information indicates the aircraft had been operating its scheduled Wamena–Balinggama–Wamena service when it was attacked after landing.

Local media later reported that the pilot had been killed during the assault. However, Indonesian authorities had not issued an official statement confirming either the reported death or the alleged capture as of publication.

The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, and no group had immediately claimed responsibility.

Associated Mission Aviation operates flights serving remote communities across Papua, where small aircraft often provide the only practical transportation link due to the region's rugged terrain.