Indonesia Air Transport Plane Wreckage Found in South Sulawesi

This article summarizes reporting by The Associated Press.

Wreckage of Missing Indonesian Government Plane Found in South Sulawesi

Search and rescue teams in Indonesia have located the wreckage of an Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) turboprop plane that went missing during a government-chartered surveillance mission. The Commercial-Aircraft, carrying 11 people, was discovered on the slopes of Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi on Sunday morning, ending a tense overnight search operation hampered by severe weather.

According to reporting by The Associated Press and local authorities, the ATR 42-500 lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday afternoon while approaching Makassar. The discovery of the crash site in rugged terrain has shifted the focus from an aerial search to a complex ground evacuation effort.

Discovery and Wreckage Details

The aircraft, identified by registration number PK-THT, was located in the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park. Aerial search teams aboard an Air Force helicopter first spotted debris at approximately 7:17 AM local time on Sunday. Following this visual confirmation, ground teams trekked to the site to verify the wreckage.

Officials confirmed that the debris field is scattered across steep, mountainous slopes. The fuselage was reportedly found near the mountain’s summit, while the tail section was located on a steep southern slope, indicating a high-impact event. The difficult terrain and dense forest have complicated immediate access to the main fuselage.

Official Statements on the Search

Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of the Makassar Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, confirmed the findings to reporters. He noted that identifying the main sections of the aircraft allowed teams to narrow their focus significantly.

“The discovery of the aircraft’s main sections significantly narrows the search zone… Our joint search and rescue teams are now focusing on searching for the victims.”

, Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of Makassar SAR Office

Victims and Recovery Operations

Authorities have confirmed that 11 people were on board the flight, comprising eight crew members and three staff members from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The flight was conducting a maritime surveillance mission when it disappeared.

While search and rescue operations are officially ongoing, authorities have signaled that the chances of finding survivors are slim. The South Sulawesi Police have deployed a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team to the Dodi Sarjito Air Force Hospital in Makassar. Families of the passengers and crew have been asked to provide antemortem data, including medical records and DNA samples, to assist in identification.

According to manifest data cited in reports, the crew included Captain Andy Dahananto, Yudha Mahardika, and Captain Sukardi, among others. The three passengers were identified as ministry staff members Deden, Ferry, and Yoga.

Operational Challenges

The recovery effort is being led by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), with support from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police. The operation faces significant hurdles due to the location’s geography and weather conditions. Thick fog, rain, and strong winds delayed the initial deployment of evacuation helicopters, forcing teams to rely heavily on ground approaches through dense vegetation.

Investigation and Safety Context

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has launched an Investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary information from AirNav Indonesia suggests the pilot was instructed to correct the flight path shortly before communication was lost, raising questions about whether the aircraft deviated from its intended approach alignment.

AirPro News Analysis

This incident highlights the persistent challenges facing aviation in Indonesia, a nation reliant on air travel to connect its archipelago of over 17,000 islands. While the country has made significant strides in Safety standards in recent years, lifting past bans from European and American airspace, the combination of rapidly changing tropical weather and rugged, mountainous terrain continues to present high risks for low-altitude operations like surveillance missions.

The ATR 42 is a workhorse in regional aviation, known for its reliability in short-haul flights. However, operating in mountainous zones like South Sulawesi requires precise navigation and favorable weather, margins that appear to have been compromised in this tragic event.

Sources

• The Associated Press