Authorities suspect the Indonesia Air Transport plane with 11 people on board has gone down in rugged terrain after losing contact during its approach to Makassar. Reports of an explosion and fire are under investigation.
MAROS, South Sulawesi — Search and rescue teams are scouring a mountainous region in South Sulawesi for an ATR 42-500 aircraft that disappeared from radar on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with strong indications it may have crashed. The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT), was carrying 11 people—eight crew members and three passengers—on a flight from Yogyakarta to Makassar.
Authorities are focusing the operation on the karst limestone mountains of the Leang-Leang area in Maros Regency, a landscape of dense forest and steep terrain. Suspicion of a crash was raised by local reports.
“The strong likelihood is that it has crashed,” said Major General Bangun Nawoko, Commander of the XIV/Hasanuddin Military Region, at a press briefing on Saturday. He cited reports from the area of a loud explosion and a significant fire point, which search teams are working to verify.
Final Moments and Communication Breakdown
The official chronology released by the Ministry of Transportation details the aircraft’s final moments. At approximately 04:23 UTC (12:23 PM local time), air traffic control (ATC) at Makassar’s Area Terminal Service Center directed the aircraft, registered PK-THT, to begin its approach to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.
During the approach, controllers identified that the aircraft was off its designated flight path. ATC issued repeated instructions to the crew to correct their position and return to the proper landing procedure. Communication was abruptly lost after the final instruction was relayed, prompting ATC to declare a Distress Phase (DETRESFA).
Ongoing Search Operation
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) established a command post near the suspected crash site in Bantimurung. The challenging search involves ground personnel combing the area and aerial support from an Indonesian Air Force Caracal helicopter, which was deployed to assist with observation and potential evacuation.
The aircraft’s manifest lists Captain Andy Dahananto as Pilot in Command, supported by First Officer Yudha Mahardika and additional crew including a senior check captain and flight attendants. The three passengers were identified as Deden, Ferry, and Yoga.
Initial weather reports indicated visibility of around 8 kilometers with partly cloudy conditions at the time of the incident, though official confirmation from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is pending. A crisis center has been opened at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to coordinate information for families and the media.
The incident underscores the operational challenges of aviation in Indonesia’s vast and topographically complex archipelago, where search efforts in remote, rugged areas require substantial resources and coordination.
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Source: Detik Sulsel
