An Indonesian government ATR 42-500 operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) on behalf of the Southeast Asian nation's Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) crashed while on its approach into Makassar-Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport on January 17 (local time).
The ATR 42-500 (registered PK-THT) with 11 people – 7 crew and 3 passengers who were identified as ministry staff members – was initially reported missing during its approach into Makassar in the afternoon of January 17. The aircraft had departed earlier in the morning from Yogyakarta Adisucipto International Airport. Contact was lost with air traffic control at around 1330H local time (0530H GMT) around the Maros region in South Sulawesi.
After the launch of the search and rescue mission, the aircaft wreckage was located the following day (January 18) around Mount Bulusaraung located around 25 kilometers North-East of Makassar Airport.
Of the 11 passengers and crew on board, ANTARA reported that the recovery of the remains of one victim. The remaining 10 are still unaccounted for, as Indonesia's Basarnas – Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency – established a 1km search radius around the fuselage debris of the downed aircraft.
Regarding the search and rescue mission, Makassar Basarnas (Search and Rescue Agency) Office head Arif Anwar the Basarnas team has been facing heavy rain and thick fog which has limited visibility to around 5 meters at the summit ofMount Bulusaraung.
According to planespotters.net, the 25 year-old PK-THT was first delivered to Italy-based Air Dolomiti in March 2001. The aircraft would be delivered to Indonesia Air in 2010. After starting its service with the PSDKP in March 2025, the aircraft was re-configured for “Airbourne Surveillance.”
Following the reports of the incident, aircraft manufacturer ATR issued a statement saying: “ATR has been informed that an accident occurred in Indonesia involving an ATR 42-500. Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by the accident. The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation led by the Indonesian authorities and the operator.”
Powered by Froala Editor
