Palu - Tolitoli

On March 29, 1977 at 12:00 AM, Palu - Tolitoli experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA, with the event recorded near Bainaha Valley Central Sulawesi.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

23 people were known to be on board, 13 fatalities were recorded, 10 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 56.5%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 20, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane departed Palu-Mutiara Airport on a charter flight to Tolitoli, carrying tourists. En route, the crew descended from 9,000 to 5,000 feet to offer a better view of the area to the passengers when the pilot realized he was facing a mountain. He elected to gain height but the aircraft struck tree tops located on the top of a cliff then stalled and crashed into a ravine. The wreckage was found few hours later. A crew member and nine passengers were rescued while 13 other occupants including both pilots were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration PK-NUP, MSN 486, year of manufacture 1976.