Indonesian Pilot Ricoseta Shares a Flight Marked by Faith and Timing
Indonesian pilot Ricoseta Mafella is known among colleagues as a calm and focused professional who carries his faith quietly into his daily routine. He often hums worship songs while flying, a habit that helps him stay composed in the cockpit. For him, faith is personal and steady, not something he speaks about often.
On September 28, 2018, however, that routine flight day felt different. Mafella later shared that while seated in the captain’s chair, he felt unusually compelled to focus deeply on worship. According to his recollection, the moment felt stronger than his usual calm reflection.
That afternoon, weather conditions around Palu were unstable. Strong winds made landing difficult, and Mafella decided to delay the aircraft’s approach. The choice pushed the schedule back by nine minutes. At the time, it felt like a routine safety call, one pilots make often when conditions are not ideal.
Once the aircraft landed safely and preparations began for the next departure from Palu, Mafella sensed urgency. He later described hearing a clear inner warning urging him to leave immediately and not remain grounded longer than necessary.
Indonesian Pilot Ricoseta Acts Quickly Before Palu Earthquake
Indonesian pilot Ricoseta chose not to ignore the feeling. Acting on instinct and professional judgment, he departed three minutes earlier than scheduled. There was no visible sign of danger at the airport, and passengers boarded as usual, unaware of what was about to happen.
Shortly after the aircraft took off, a powerful earthquake struck the Donggala region at 5:55 pm. The quake triggered a devastating tsunami that swept through Palu and nearby coastal areas. Buildings collapsed, streets flooded, and communication lines failed within minutes.
The disaster claimed the lives of more than 4,300 people and left thousands injured or displaced. Palu Airport suffered damage, and air operations were halted as emergency services struggled to respond. In the days that followed, images of destruction shocked the world.
Mafella later realised how narrowly his flight avoided the catastrophe. Had the aircraft remained on the ground longer, it could have been caught in the chaos that followed the quake and tsunami. For him, the sequence of events felt deeply personal.
He has described the experience not as proof, but as perspective. The decision to delay landing, followed by an early departure, became moments he reflects on with humility rather than certainty. Aviation experts note that such timing differences can occur regularly in flight operations, often without wider consequence. In this case, the outcome happened to intersect with a major natural disaster.
Indonesian Pilot Ricoseta Reflects on Survival and Responsibility
Indonesian pilot Ricoseta has since spoken about the experience as a reminder of responsibility and awareness in the cockpit. He emphasizes that pilots are trained to make decisions based on safety, weather, and instinct developed through experience. Faith, he says, is something that supports calm thinking, not replaces professional judgment.
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The Palu disaster remains one of Indonesia’s most tragic natural events in recent history. For survivors and families of victims, it is remembered with grief and loss. Mafella’s story stands apart not as celebration, but as reflection on how small decisions can carry unexpected weight. He continues to fly, carrying the memory quietly, aware that many others were not as fortunate that day. Also Read: At 52 She Made Record Through a Late but Determined Digital Start
Conclusion
The experience of Indonesian pilot Ricoseta stands as a personal account shaped by timing, judgment, and reflection, set against one of Indonesia’s darkest days, reminding many how fragile routine moments can be.
