West Papua — The pioneer aviation world in the land of Papua mourns once again. West Papua Separatists burned a PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) aircraft, registration PK-RCY, shortly after it landed at Balinggama Airfield. This tragic attack, which occurred on Thursday, February 7, 2026, also claimed the life of the captain, Nicholas Francis Gosselin, following reports that an American Pilot Shot in West Papua.
Chronology of the Attack and Communication Blackout
The Director General of Civil Aviation at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, explained that the scheduled flight departed from Wamena Airport at 06:30 WIT. The pioneer aircraft carried one pilot and seven passengers on board.
Before takeoff, the crew fulfilled all safety procedures, and weather reports indicated clear conditions along the flight route.
“However, initial reports show that the Balinggama Airfield did not provide any security updates before the aircraft landed,” Lukman stated in his written release.
The flight initially proceeded smoothly until the plane touched down safely at Balinggama Airfield in the Highland Papua Province. However, the situation quickly turned terrifying right after the aircraft wheels touched the runway and the pilot transmitted his arrival report.
“After the pilot reported a successful landing, the communication from the airfield post immediately went dead,” Lukman added. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to gather a more detailed chronology regarding the exact moments when attackers targeted the American Pilot Shot in West Papua.
Separatist Group Claims Responsibility and Alleges Military Logistics
Shortly after the incident, West Papua Separatists openly claimed responsibility for burning the aircraft and killing the foreign captain.
The spokesperson for the separatists, Sebby Sambom, claimed that his group shot and killed Nicholas F. Gosselin. The group alleged that the Indonesian military utilized the civilian aircraft to transport security forces and active military logistics into the conflict zone.
Sebby emphasized that the presence of the AMA aircraft in Balinggama violated their unilateral restriction, which prohibits civilian flights from entering areas they designate as military operations zones.
Echoing Sebby’s statement, the Commander of the separatist group in Yahukimo, Elkius Kobak, confirmed that his men executed the pilot under his direct orders. Elkius stated that his group had previously issued a strict ultimatum warning civilian airlines to avoid their operational territory.
“We also notify the US government through its embassy in Indonesia, and the UN member states, that our fighters executed this operation as a direct consequence of the failures of Indonesia, the US, the Netherlands, and the UN regarding an American Pilot Shot in West Papua,” Elkius asserted.
PT AMA Rebuttal: “Our Manifest Proves We Maintain Neutrality”
Responding to the heavy accusations from the separatist group, the Director of PT AMA, Bob Kayadu, issued a strong clarification on Friday, July 3, 2026. Bob fiercely denied that his fleet participated in military mobilization or carried operational logistics for the TNI/Polri.
“You can check our manifest directly; we never carry military goods,” Bob told reporters when answering questions about the transparency of the cargo.
Bob explained that standard operating procedures (SOP) and company operation manuals strictly forbid any involvement in armed conflicts.
“According to AMA operational standards, we reject, refuse, and do not transport military equipment because we provide services with absolute neutrality and do not side with anyone,” he continued.
Furthermore, Bob highlighted the humanitarian and social mission that AMA fulfills. For the past three years, AMA has consistently operated the Balinggama route once a week to open access for isolated regions that major commercial airlines cannot reach.
“We serve the remote areas where other commercial planes simply do not enter,” Bob clarified.
Profiling Nicholas Francis Gosselin: A Young Aviator’s Journey Before the Tragically Reported American Pilot Shot in West Papua
The death of Nicholas Francis Gosselin brings deep sorrow to the international aviation community. According to his passport documents, the young United States citizen was only 30 years old, born in Connecticut, USA, on November 16, 1996.
According to his professional LinkedIn profile, Nicholas possessed extensive experience in specialized aviation and challenging bush flying environments:
- 2013: Began his aviation career as an intern at Image Aviation Service in Oxford, Connecticut.
- 2015–2018: Worked at PenAir as a ramp agent and operations agent to master ground handling management.
- 2018: Piloted planes professionally for Mills Air Service in Massachusetts for towed banners and skydiving operations, and flew for Skydive Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
- 2019–2024: Served as a commercial transport pilot for Grant Aviation, spending five years navigating extreme weather and rough terrains across Alaska.
- 2024: Accepted a new challenge by joining Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) in Indonesia.
Nicholas traveled over 14,500 kilometers from his hometown in the United States to serve the isolated communities in the interior of the Papua Highlands. His professional profile perfectly captured his dedication and lifelong philosophy:
“Always looking for a new challenge, always learning,” Nicholas wrote.
Unfortunately, this young aviator’s quest for adventure ended tragically in Balinggama, leaving behind profound grief for his family, colleagues, and the indigenous Papuan communities who relied heavily on his service before the news broke regarding the American Pilot Shot in West Papua.
