At a Glance
- An ATR 42-500 carrying eight crew and three passengers lost radar contact Saturday afternoon near South Sulawesi
- Hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported spotting debris and small fires believed linked to the missing aircraft
- Search teams, backed by air force helicopters and drones, are battling steep terrain to reach the site
- Why it matters: The archipelago nation’s poor safety record faces fresh scrutiny as rescuers race to locate survivors
A passenger aircraft with 11 people on board disappeared from radar Saturday while approaching a mountainous stretch between Java and Sulawesi islands, Indonesian officials confirmed. A full-scale search and rescue operation is now under way.
Last Known Position
The turboprop ATR 42-500, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was completing the route from Yogyakarta to Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province, when it vanished, Transportation Ministry spokesperson Endah Purnama Sari said.
Controllers last tracked the plane at 01:17 p.m. local (0517 GMT) above the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a rugged district in South Sulawesi. Moments earlier, air traffic control had instructed the flight crew to correct its approach alignment to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.
“After the last ATC instructions, radio contact was lost and controllers declared the emergency distress phase,” Sari stated.
Debris Spotted on Mountain
Hope of pinpointing the wreckage rose after hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported seeing scattered debris, a logo matching Indonesia Air Transport markings, and small fires still burning at the scene.
“The sightings were reported to authorities and are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the area,” said Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, commander of the South Sulawesi Hasanuddin military district.
Search crews have narrowed their focus to the national park linking Maros and Pangkep districts, where steep slopes and dense vegetation are hampering access.
Who Was on Board
The aircraft carried eight crew members and three passengers, all employees of Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.
Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono told reporters late Saturday that the trio were traveling as part of an airborne maritime surveillance mission supporting national fisheries management operations.
Search Conditions
Weather data at the time of disappearance showed clouds and 8-kilometer (5-mile) visibility, according to Sari. While not severe, the cloud cover adds complexity to aerial searches over the jagged terrain.
Multiple rescue teams-including air force helicopters, police drones, and ground units-have been deployed, Nawoko confirmed. Crews are attempting to reach the reported debris field on foot while helicopters scout for clearer landing zones.
Broader Safety Concerns
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and 280 million residents, depends heavily on domestic flights and ferries. Transport accidents remain frequent, with critics citing poorly enforced safety standards across land, sea, and air sectors.
Saturday’s incident marks the latest in a string of aviation setbacks for the Southeast Asian nation, though officials have not yet cited a cause for the disappearance.
Key Takeaways
- The ATR 42-500 lost contact shortly after 1 p.m. local time while adjusting its approach to Makassar
- Hiker-reported debris and fires on Mount Bulusaraung offer the strongest lead so far
- Eight crew and three government employees remain missing as rescuers battle steep terrain
- Indonesia’s safety record faces renewed attention as search efforts continue
