Balikpapan - Palu

On June 18, 1994 at 12:20 PM, Balikpapan - Palu experienced a crash involving Fokker F27 Friendship, operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA, with the event recorded near Palu-Mutiara SIS Al-Jufri Central Sulawesi.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

12 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to Palu-Mutiara Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain falls. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kalora (690 metres high) located 8 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 12 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration PK-MFI, MSN 10597, year of manufacture 1980.