An American pilot was shot dead and his plane was burned in Yahukimo, Papua Pegunungan, on July 2, 2026. The incident is suspected to have been carried out by an armed OPM group led by Elkius Kobak.
The incident occurred at Balinggama Airfield, Kampung Balinggama, Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency. The Caravan PK-RCY aircraft belonging to PT Associated Mission Aviation landed from Wamena before being attacked and burned.
The body of pilot Nicholas Francis Gosselin, born in Connecticut in 1996, was evacuated to Timika and Jayapura. The body was handed over to Bishop of Jayapura Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You at Lanud Silas Papare.
Pangkogabwilhan III Lt. Gen. Lucky Avianto warned TPNPB-OPM members to stop violence and lay down arms. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago strongly condemned the act and stated that the government would not tolerate violence against civilians and air transport.
