The Air Force deputy chief of staff Vice Marshal I Gusti Made Oka confirmed Friday that the location of a missing aircraft had been found although rescue workers had yet to reach the area.
"The location is at a deep gorge as reported by some residents," he told Metro TV station.
Residents have reported that they have seen ruins of the ill- fated NC-212-200 light transport airplane at Tegal Lilin hamlet of Pasir Gaok village in Tenjolaya district.
He added that his pilots cannot land near the location as the weather was bad and the terrain was difficult.
However, he said, all the victims would be evacuated as soon as possible as the Air Force had prepared a makeshift helipad near the location.
Oka said he cannot confirmed whether all people onboard were dead.
"We are not sure of that yet although villagers said they saw bodies scattered around the airplane. Let's hope there is a miracle," he said.
The airplane was conducting an aerial surveillance training mission when it lost contact at about 10:23 a.m. The aircraft tail registration number is A-2106.
The airplane is manned by 5 crew member and carrying 13 passengers. Seven of them are officers from air force' aerial mapping and surveillance agency.
Six other passengers are civilians, including three foreigners, from a firm supplying a digital mapping. The foreigners were instructors in the training mission. (nvn)
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