JAKARTA — A major search and rescue operation is currently scouring the rugged limestone peaks of South Sulawesi after a fisheries surveillance aircraft vanished from radar on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The aircraft, a turboprop ATR 42-500 carrying 11 people, lost contact with air traffic control while approaching its destination in Makassar.
The flight was a chartered mission for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, conducting an airborne maritime surveillance operation. Onboard were eight crew members and three ministry officials.
The Disappearance: Timeline and Location
The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT), departed from Yogyakarta on the island of Java and was en route to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.
- Last Contact: 1:17 p.m. local time (0517 GMT).
- Location: The Leang-Leang area of Maros Regency, approximately 20 kilometers from the airport.
- Flight Path: Air traffic control (ATC) reported that the aircraft was instructed to correct its approach alignment before radio contact was abruptly lost.
Wreckage Sighted on Mount Bulusaraung
Hope for survivors is being balanced against the grim reality of the terrain. Late on Saturday, local military commander Major General Bangun Nawoko confirmed that hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported finding scattered debris and small fires consistent with an aircraft impact.
Over 400 personnel, including elite units from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Air Force, and the police, have been deployed. However, the mission is facing significant hurdles:
- Terrain: The Bantimurung limestone mountains are characterized by steep, jagged cliffs.
- Weather: Heavy cloud cover and intermittent rain in the Maros and Pangkep districts have hampered aerial drone and helicopter reconnaissance.
Maritime Security Impact
The loss of the surveillance plane is a significant blow to Indonesia’s efforts to police its vast territorial waters. The three passengers were specialized staff monitoring illegal fishing activities, a top priority for the administration of Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.
| Incident Detail | Data |
| Aircraft Model | ATR 42-500 (Reg: PK-THT) |
| Operator | Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) |
| Total Onboard | 11 (8 Crew, 3 Ministry Staff) |
| Last Known Altitude | Approx. 11,000 feet (descending) |
The Path Ahead
As night falls over Sulawesi, ground teams are attempting to reach the reported crash site on foot. The Ministry of Transportation has declared a Distress Phase (DETRESFA), and a Crisis Center has been established at Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to support the families of those onboard.
ATR, the French-Italian manufacturer of the aircraft, has stated its specialists are standing by to assist Indonesian authorities with the inevitable investigation into the cause of the disappearance.
ATR 42 500 Wikimedia Picture by Laurent ERRERA
