BREAKING: Indonesia Air ATR 42-500 Loses Contact Over Maros, South Sulawesi

An ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) for the Indonesian Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance service has reportedly lost contact in the skies above Leang-leang, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. The incident occurred on Saturday at 13:17 WITA, sparking a large-scale search and rescue operation.

The aircraft, registered PK-THT, was en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar when communication was lost as it approached Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport. According to officials, the last known position was near the Bantimurung limestone mountains, a rugged area famous for its caves and steep terrain. Head of Operations at Basarnas Makassar, Andi Sultan, confirmed the timeline, stating that personnel were being deployed to the suspected area immediately after the loss of contact.

The ATR 42-500 carried a total of 11 people. Eight of them were crew members, while three were passengers. Basarnas, the National Search and Rescue Agency, has established a command post near Leang-leang Village to coordinate operations. The Transportation Ministry confirmed the incident and is working closely with Basarnas to mobilize resources.

Helicopters from the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) were scheduled to join the search at 16:25. The search area is focused on the Bantimurung limestone mountains, where difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions pose significant challenges to ground and aerial teams.

Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation, explained that the search area includes the Bantimurung limestone mountains in Leang-leang Village, Maros District, and emphasized that a Basarnas post has already been established near the location. The Ministry of Transportation has assured the public that all available resources are being deployed to locate the aircraft and ensure the safety of those on board. Meanwhile, Andi Sultan reiterated that his team is concentrating efforts in the Leang-leang area based on initial information received.

The ATR 42-500 is a twin-turboprop regional aircraft widely used for short-haul flights and specialized missions, including maritime surveillance. The aircraft involved in this incident was manufactured in 2000 and carries the serial number 611.