Another helicopter incident that narrowly avoided tragedy by sheer luck occurred in Bali. Once again, a kite was to blame. The helicopter's rotor got tangled with the kite string. The incident took place near Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Park in Ungasan, South Kuta. Fortunately, this time the helicopter did not crash, but the passengers experienced several tense moments.
The head of the Regional Airport Authority IV, Agustinus Budi Hartono, reported that on Monday morning at 09:46, a Robinson R66 helicopter with registration number PK-VPN, owned by Volta Pasifik Aviasi, collided in mid-air with a kite near Garuda Park.
"The string that got tangled in the rotor was not as thick as last time," Agustinus said, noting that there were two passengers and a pilot on board. They were planning to fly from Nusa Dua to GWK to Uluwatu. During the incident, the helicopter was at an altitude of about 300 meters.
After landing, an inspection of the main and tail rotors was conducted, and no damage was found. Nevertheless, ground services responsible for flight safety were immediately involved in the situation, including all interested parties: the police, transport service, local communities, the Airport Authority (Otban), and even the Indonesian Air Force.
The incident was immediately reported to the acting governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, and the communication group for kite control. The Bali Provincial Transport Inspectorate conducted an investigation together with the head of the Bali Provincial Civil Service Police (Pol PP). Since this was the second incident in a short time, Agustinus admitted that his department could not control kite flying. "We met with the acting governor, who is very concerned about the repeated incident in the air."
Authorities understand that aviation safety is a priority, but it is not entirely clear what to do with the tradition of kite flying in Bali.
Immediately after the incident became known, the Badung district civil service police unit conducted a raid during which officers monitored kites near Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Park. This place is considered a safe flight zone.
During the raid, no kites were found around GWK. "When we conducted the monitoring, no kites were observed. At least in the afternoon," said Badung Police Chief I Gusti Agung Ketut Surya Negara.
However, closer to the airport, on Toyaning Street, in the Pasek area, Kedonganan, officers found and brought down three kites flying in the aviation safety zone. After that, educational work was carried out with their owners: they were explained the danger of flying kites near the airport.
Additionally, the Balinese authorities reminded that more warning banners are needed in areas where kite flying is prohibited. However, this process is still under discussion.
Bali Provincial Secretary Dewa Made Indra reported that the task force is continuing the investigation of the previous helicopter crash, which also occurred due to the rotor getting tangled in the kite string.
He also said that the police are currently conducting educational work on kite flying around areas adjacent to helipads. It was also reported that officers met with the parents of the kite owner, who was allegedly the cause of the first helicopter crash. "We still primarily use a soft approach, but such incidents must stop," said Regional Secretary Dewa Indra.
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