Body of American Pilot Nicholas F. Goselin, Who Was Shot Dead by Rebels in Papua, Recovered

Nicholas F. Goselin, a 29-year-old American pilot working for the Indonesian aviation company PT Associated Mission Aviation (AMA), was fatally shot on Thursday.

The attack occurred shortly after he landed a Pilatus Porter civilian aircraft at the remote Balinggama airstrip in the Yahukimo regency, located in the mountainous province of Papua Highlands, Indonesia. The aircraft was carrying seven local Papuan passengers, all of whom escaped unharmed. Following the shooting, the attackers—identified as members of the Free Papua Movement (an armed separatist group)—set fire to and destroyed the aircraft.

The Indonesian military deployed helicopters and a 10-person tactical security team on Friday to secure the remote airstrip and recover his body, which was flown to Timika and then to Jayapura.

Officials confirmed on Saturday that his body was flown to Jakarta. The United States Embassy is facilitating the remaining arrangements to return him to the US.