American missionary pilot killed in Papua attack as US monitors investigation

An American pilot was shot dead by an armed group in Highland Papua, and the aircraft he was flying was subsequently set on fire. Seven civilian passengers survived the attack. The United States government is now monitoring developments in the case.

The incident occurred at Ipdeheik Airstrip in Balinggama Village, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, on Thursday (2 July 2026).

The pilot, Nicholas F. Goselin, 29, was flying a Pilatus aircraft operated by PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), registration PK-RCY.

The aircraft departed Wamena Airport at 6:30am Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT) carrying one pilot and seven passengers. It landed at Balinggama Airstrip at 6:46am WIT. Shortly after the pilot reported that the aircraft had landed, communication with the airstrip area post was lost.

An armed group identifying itself as the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) attacked the aircraft, shot the pilot and set the plane ablaze. TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom claimed responsibility for the attack.

"The TPNPB Yahukimo Regional Command XVI forces from the Bakusip Company are responsible for the shooting of the American pilot and the burning of one aircraft," Sebby said in a press statement.

Reason for the shooting

Sebby said the aircraft was targeted because it had allegedly violated a TPNPB ultimatum prohibiting civilian aircraft from entering areas under the group's operational control. The group accused civilian aircraft of transporting Indonesian military personnel and logistics into remote areas of Papua.

TPNPB Regional Command XVI Yahukimo commander Elkius Kobak said he had ordered the shooting.

"The shooting of this American pilot is a consequence of the mistakes of the governments of Indonesia, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Nations," he said in a separate statement.

The Indonesian military denied claims that the aircraft was being used to transport military personnel. All seven passengers were Indigenous Papuans, consisting of three women and four men. The passengers — Eston Sobolim, Kwenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Faince Amohoso — all survived the attack.

An evacuation team was initially unable to reach the location on Thursday due to poor weather. On Friday morning (3 July), personnel from the Habema Joint Regional Defence Command successfully evacuated the pilot's body. The operation involved 10 personnel supported by two Caracal helicopters in difficult mountainous terrain.

Deputy Commander of the Habema Joint Regional Defence Command Brigadier General Riyanto expressed condolences over the pilot's death.

"Our priority is to rescue victims, secure the location, protect the community and support the law enforcement process against the perpetrators," he said.

The US Department of State said it remained in contact with Indonesian authorities.

"There is no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," the department said in a written statement received by BBC News Indonesia on Friday (3 July).

The US government said it was also continuing to communicate with the victim's family.

US monitoring investigation

The United States government said it remained in contact with Indonesian authorities regarding the killing of the American pilot by the TPNPB in Yahukimo, Highland Papua, on Thursday (2 July).

In a written statement received by BBC News Indonesia on Friday afternoon (3 July), the US Department of State said it was aware that Indonesian authorities were investigating reports of the death of an American citizen in Papua.

"And closely monitoring developments," the statement said.

The department added that it remained in contact with the family of Nicholas F. Goselin.

"There is no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," it said.

The American pilot was killed in an attack by the TPNPB at Ipdeheik Airstrip in Yahukimo Regency. The attack is believed to have occurred shortly after the PT AMA Air PK-RCY aircraft landed at the airstrip.

Reports indicated that the aircraft was subsequently burned by the TPNPB.

Earlier, Indonesian authorities confirmed that Goselin's body had been evacuated on Friday (3 July).

Deputy Commander Riyanto said the evacuation operation began with a rapid special operation to secure the airstrip.

In addition to recovering the victim, military personnel also conducted search operations and pursued those responsible for the shooting and arson attack.

Chronology of the incident

According to preliminary information from the Class I Wamena Airport Management Unit, the Pilatus aircraft operated by PT Associated Mission Aviation departed Wamena Airport at 6:30am WIT on Thursday carrying one pilot and seven passengers.

The aircraft landed at Balinggama Airstrip at 6:46am WIT.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said there had been no reports indicating a deteriorating security situation around the airstrip before the flight.

The Ministry of Transportation also stated that weather conditions along the route were reported to be favourable before departure.

However, according to initial reports, no information regarding any security threat at Balinggama Airstrip was communicated before the aircraft landed.

After the pilot reported that the aircraft had landed, communication with the airstrip area post was lost.

Authorities suspect that shortly after landing and unloading cargo, a group claiming to be TPNPB members attacked and burned the aircraft.

Airport authorities in Wamena only received an emergency report from the PT AMA manager several hours later, at 9:39am WIT.

TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the group had killed Nicholas F. Goselin because it believed the aircraft was transporting Indonesian military personnel and logistics into the conflict-affected province.

He said the aircraft's presence violated the group's ban on civilian flights operating in areas it considers to be military operation zones.

Meanwhile, Elkius Kobak also claimed responsibility for ordering the attack.

He said the group had issued an ultimatum prohibiting all civilian aircraft from entering the operational area of TPNPB Regional Command XVI Yahukimo.

"We have also informed the US government through its embassy in Indonesia and member states of the United Nations that the shooting of this American pilot is a consequence of the failure of the governments of Indonesia, the United States, the Netherlands and the UN to resolve the root causes of the conflict in Papua between the Indonesian military and the TPNPB, which has lasted for 64 years," Kobak said.

He alleged that the long-running conflict had resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Indigenous Papuans.

Both Kobak and Sambom called on the United Nations to facilitate negotiations involving the Indonesian government, the TPNPB and Papuan representatives.

They also warned that the group would continue targeting civilian aircraft it believed were assisting military operations in the region.

Indonesian response

The Indonesian military successfully evacuated Goselin's body on Friday.

Riyanto said the operation involved a rapid special operation to secure the airstrip as an entry point for assistance, followed by a tactical rescue mission to recover the victim.

The operation involved 10 military personnel supported by two Caracal helicopters and was conducted in difficult mountainous terrain.

At the same time, troops carried out search operations and pursued those responsible for the shooting and the destruction of the aircraft.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our priority is to rescue victims, secure the location, protect the community and support law enforcement efforts against the perpetrators," Riyanto said.

Fate of the passengers

Nicholas F. Goselin was transporting seven passengers, all of whom were Indigenous Papuans.

The passengers were identified as Eston Sobolim, Kwenang Sobolim, Toni Balingga, Elina Sobolim, Ona Sobolim, Lisenia Balingga and Faince Amohoso.

The Cenderawasih Military Command reported that all seven passengers survived.

"All seven passengers, who are Indigenous Papuans, have been reported safe and in good condition," military spokesman Colonel Tri Purwanto said on Friday.

The US Embassy in Jakarta and the Department of State were contacted for comment.

The attack was not the first involving a foreign pilot in Papua. In September 2024, New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens was released after being held hostage for 19 months by the same group following lengthy negotiations involving officials in Jakarta and Wellington.

A month earlier, another New Zealander, helicopter pilot Glen Malcolm Conning, was shot dead by TPNPB members shortly after landing in a remote village.

The PT AMA aircraft destroyed in Balinggama was a missionary aircraft conducting humanitarian missions on the Wamena–Balinggama–Wamena route. The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force said it served as the only means of transportation for communities in the area.