Keluarga Yayasan MAF Indonesia (MAF) is deeply saddened by the loss of their colleague and friend, Capt Joyce Lin. She departed Sentani, Papua airport early in the morning of May 12 (pukul 06.27 WIT), piloting an MAF Kodiak 100 aircraft PK-MEC. Joyce was responding to the needs of the village of Mamit, Kabupaten Tolikara in the Papua highlands with essential food and supplies for Yayasan Pendidikan Harapan Papua and their staff, school and clinic, included COVID-19 rapid test kits. Within minutes of takeoff, she reported an emergency and the aircraft descended into Lake Sentani. (pukul 06.29 WIT). Joyce was the only person on board the airplane.
Indonesian Search and Rescue divers later confirmed that Joyce did not survive the accident. The MAF staff in Papua and Jakarta are working with authorities on the investigation of the accident.
Capt. Joyce is survived by her parents and two sisters. Prayers for her family in this time of sudden loss are appreciated, as well as prayers for the MAF Papua team that worked by her side.
At an early age Joyce developed interests in everything related to computers and aviation. Joyce attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) receiving both S1 (Bachelor of Science) and S2 (Master of Engineering) while also obtaining her Private pilot license. After many years working as a computer specialist Joyce felt called to attend Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminar graduating with a (S2) Master of Divinity. It was here she heard of Mission Aviation and a way to combine her interests in computer, aviation, and serving others which led her to complete her instrument, commercial (CPL-IR), and instructor pilot licenses before joining MAF.
Joyce loved working for MAF in Indonesia, where she served as a pilot and field IT support specialist. Though she was there just two years—one in Central Java for language school and another in Sentani—her impact was significant. Joyce repeatedly shared how joy-filled she was in the weeks before she was called home.
We dearly honor Joyce for her faithfulness and desire to help and support those that live in isolated areas.
We convey our deepest appreciation and gratitude to those who have been very helpful to us and are responsive in responding to this disaster and evacuating, especially to Lanud Silas Papare TNI Angkatan Udara, BASARNAS Jayapura, Angkasa Pura I, Local Police, Papua Diving Team, Kepala Kampung in Yaboi, Putali, Jayapura and all other parties which we cannot mention one by one.
We feel strengthened by every empathy and condolences from various parties in Indonesia, including short messages we received personally from the Director of Air Transport, Mrs. Maria Kristi Endah Murni, SH, MH :”Deep condolences to MAF, RIP Capt,. Joyce Lin, Terima kasih atas pengabdianmu di pedalaman Papua selama ini”. She will be dearly missed.
