Indonesia Launches Massive Search After Surveillance Plane Crashes in South Sulawesi

Indonesian authorities have intensified a large-scale search-and-recovery mission in the rugged mountains of South Sulawesi after a fisheries surveillance aircraft crashed on Saturday, leaving at least one confirmed dead and ten others missing. The turboprop ATR 42-500, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar.

What Happened?

The aircraft, chartered by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, was carrying 11 people—a mix of ministry personnel and flight crew—on an aerial monitoring mission when it vanished from radar near the mountainous Maros region. Moments before disappearing, air traffic controllers instructed the crew to correct their approach path after detecting the plane had deviated from its proper alignment.

Minutes later, communication ceased.

By early Sunday, search teams spotted debris scattered across the steep slopes of Mount Bulusaraung, a densely forested area blanketed by heavy fog and strong winds. Rescuers located parts of the fuselage, tail section, aircraft windows, and passenger seats strewn across multiple ravines.

One body was recovered from a deep ravine, though identification efforts are still underway as families of the missing arrive in Makassar for formal verification.

Search Efforts Intensify

More than 1,000 personnel, including military units, police, and volunteers, have been deployed across land and air. Helicopters, drones, and ground teams are navigating treacherous terrain to locate the remaining victims and secure the crash site.

Officials report:

• Thick fog and unpredictable winds are slowing aerial operations.
• Steep, forested slopes are forcing ground teams to advance cautiously.
• Reports from hikers and thermal “hotspots” suggest the aircraft may have broken apart across several impact points.

Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office, emphasized that locating survivors or remains remains the top priority, despite the extreme conditions.

Flight Data and Early Clues

Preliminary data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft flying unusually low over the ocean before rapidly losing altitude roughly 20 km northeast of Makassar Airport.

Additional details from Indonesian aviation officials reveal:

• The plane was off its correct approach path, prompting ATC to issue corrective instructions.
• Communication was lost shortly after these instructions were transmitted.
• Locals reported hearing a “loud explosion” around the time the aircraft disappeared.

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has initiated a formal investigation, with ATR specialists assisting. Authorities stress that aviation accidents typically result from a combination of factors, and it is too early to determine the cause.

Indonesia’s Aviation Safety Context

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air travel. However, the country has struggled with aviation safety, experiencing several fatal crashes in recent years—including helicopter accidents in South Kalimantan and Papua in 2025.

The ATR 42-500 involved in this crash is a widely used regional turboprop capable of carrying up to 50 passengers. Indonesia Air Transport reported that the aircraft had undergone technical checks and was declared airworthy before departure.

Official Statements

• ATR, the aircraft manufacturer, expressed condolences and confirmed its technical team is supporting investigators.
• Local rescue officials say the mission will continue “until every victim is found and evacuated safely.”
• Government ministries have begun coordinating support for families of the missing.

⛰️ What Comes Next

Search teams are expected to continue combing the mountain slopes over the coming days, though worsening weather may complicate efforts. Investigators will focus on recovering the aircraft’s black boxes, which are essential for determining what caused the sudden loss of altitude and communication.

As Indonesia grapples with yet another aviation tragedy, officials say lessons from past incidents will guide both the rescue mission and the forthcoming safety review.