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A search and rescue helicopter spotted three bodies at the scene of plane crash in Papua, an airline manager said on Thursday.

A Twin Otter cargo plane, owned by private operator Aviastar, crashed into Mount Kurima in Papua’s Yahukimo district on Monday afternoon.

The plane was captained by Frans Noble and co-piloted by Dedi Sudrajat, and carried one crew member, Ahmad Khaironi.

“There was no sign of life,” said Filman, the safety manager of Aviastar.

Weather conditions and difficult terrain prevented a search and rescue team from reaching the crash site on Thursday night.

“The helicopter could not reach the site, plus the weather has been bad,” Filman said. “We will try again on Friday.”

The plane was carrying cargo from Dekay in the Yahukimo disctrict to Wamena, in the neighboring district of Jayawijaya, when it lost contact about five minutes before the it was due to land.

Gagah Prakoso, a national search and rescue team spokesman, said the wreckage was found 9,600 feet above sea level.

“We’re trying to climb up to 6,000 feet, and then have another helicopter pick the team up and go higher,” he said.

J.A. Barata, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman, said the board had sent one officer to lay the groundwork for the ensuing accident investigation. “We will not start an investigation before we collect preliminary data,” he said.

Aviastar is a Jakarta-based airline that has operated charter planes since 2000. According to its Web site, the airline uses both a BAe 146-300 and a Twin Otter plane, out of five they are operating, to carry food logistics every month to Wamena.

On April 9, the day of the national legislative elections, a BAe 146-300 plane carrying logistic materials crashed while attempting to land at Wamena, killing all six crew on board. In January 2008, an Aviastar DHC-6 Twin Otter plane crashed in Paniai district, Papua, after it skidded off the runway at Sugapa Airport.