Helicopter Cr∆shes During Water-B0mbing Operation, Two Crew Members R£scued
Helicopter Crashes During Water-Bombing Operation, Two Crew Members Rescued
Two crew members were rescued from the river after local residents rushed to the crash site and assisted in the rescue operation.
Ahelicopter has crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, during an aerial firefighting operation, marking the second helicopter crash involving water-bombing missions in the country within four days.
The incident occurred on Sunday, November 8, 2026, while the helicopter was reportedly collecting water from the river to combat raging forest and land fires.
According to initial reports by Indonesian news agency ANTARA, the aircraft was believed to be an Airbus Helicopters H225 (EC225LP) Super Puma operated by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).News subscription service
Two crew members were rescued from the river after local residents rushed to the crash site and assisted in the rescue operation.
However, the full condition of everyone aboard the helicopter had yet to be officially established as of the time of the initial reports.
Global aviation news and analysis platform FL360aero shared a video of the incident on X, crediting local residents for the footage.News subscription service
SECOND HELICOPTER CRASH IN FOUR DAYS! WATER-BOMBING OPERATIONS TURN TRAGIC IN INDONESIA A deeply concerning situation is unfolding in Indonesia, where a second helicopter has crashed during aerial firefighting operations in Kalimantan within just four days. On November 8, 2026, a helicopter conducting water-bombing operations crashed into the Barito River in South Kalimantan while reportedly collecting water to fight raging forest and land fires. Initial reports from Indonesian news agency ANTARA indicate that the aircraft was believed to be a BNPB-operated Airbus Helicopters H225 (EC225LP) Super Puma. In a remarkable display of courage and community spirit, local residents rushed to the scene and helped rescue two crew members from the river. The full condition of everyone aboard was not yet officially established in the initial reports. BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TRAGEDY… Just four days earlier, on November 4, an Indonesian Army Mil Mi-17V5 helicopter (HA-5235) crashed into the waters near Sungai Perlu, Central Kalimantan, while collecting water for a firefighting mission near Tanjung Puting National Park. That accident claimed the lives of THREE Indonesian Army personnel, while five others survived. The Navy subsequently recovered the helicopter’s flight data recorder on November 7, and the investigation is continuing. TWO CRASHES. FOUR DAYS. ONE COMMON MISSION: FIGHTING DEVASTATING FOREST FIRES. Helicopter water-bombing is among the most demanding forms of aerial firefighting. Repeated low-level approaches, water collection, changing aircraft weight and challenging operating conditions make every sortie a serious undertaking. Our thoughts are with the affected crews, their families and everyone involved in Indonesia’s firefighting operations. We hope for the recovery of those injured and commend the local residents and emergency responders who rushed to help. A stark reminder of the risks faced by aviation professionals working to protect lives, communities and the environment. 📹Credit: atap jebol / @lele_dugong Input: Windu Mukti W. @windumuktiw #Indonesia #Kalimantan #HelicopterCrash #WaterBombing #AerialFirefighting
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 8, 2026
The platform described the development as the second helicopter crash during aerial firefighting operations in Indonesia within four days.
The latest incident comes just four days after an Indonesian Army Mil Mi-17V5 helicopter, with registration number HA-5235, crashed into waters near Sungai Perlu in Central Kalimantan on November 4 while collecting water for a firefighting mission near Tanjung Puting National Park.
That crash killed three Indonesian Army personnel, while five others survived.
The Indonesian Navy subsequently recovered the helicopter’s flight data recorder on November 7, as investigations into the accident continued.
The two incidents have drawn attention to the dangers associated with helicopter water-bombing operations, which require aircraft to conduct repeated low-level manoeuvres while collecting and transporting large quantities of water.
Such operations involve challenging flight conditions, including changes in aircraft weight during water collection and release, as well as the risks associated with operating close to water surfaces and difficult terrain.
The latest crash occurred as Indonesian authorities continued efforts to combat forest and land fires through aerial firefighting operations.
helikopter sedanb dalam proses evakuasi oleh warlok dan ada crew yg confirmed selamat di perahu warlok https://t.co/X8TK6evnTB
— atap jebol (@lele_dugong) November 8, 2026
Local residents who rushed to rescue the crew members in Sunday’s incident were also commended for their swift intervention.
info dari narasi warlok di video ada satu kru masih di badan heli semoga semua kru selamat https://t.co/qXhBwsTrkq
— atap jebol (@lele_dugong) November 8, 2026
Videos shared on X by a local resident, atap jebol (@lele_dugong), show fishermen using ropes to pull the crashed helicopter towards the riverbank in an apparent effort to assist in the rescue and recovery operation.
