Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42 Crashes in South Sulawesi
An Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42 turboprop has crashed in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing after authorities located wreckage in mountainous terrain.
The aircraft was reported to be operating on a government surveillance mission connected to Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries when it disappeared from radar at low altitude.
What We Know So Far
Early information from local reporting and flight-tracking details indicates:
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Aircraft: ATR 42-500, reported as an ATR 42-512
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Registration: PK-THT
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Last known radar contact: 04:20 UTC, roughly 20 km northeast of Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport
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Flight profile: The aircraft was observed flying at low altitude over the sea before radar contact was lost
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Mission: Conducting surveillance duties for the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance Agency (PSDKP), with Indonesia Air Transport acting as the contracted operator
Authorities later confirmed the aircraft crashed in the Bulusaraung Pangkep mountain area in South Sulawesi, and search teams have located the wreckage.
People Onboard
Initial reports indicate 11 people were onboard:
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Eight crew members
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Three passengers
At this stage, the condition of those onboard has not been officially confirmed, and responders remain active at the site.
Search-and-Rescue Challenges
The reported crash location is in mountainous terrain, which can significantly slow recovery and rescue operations due to:
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difficult access routes
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limited visibility and communications in remote areas
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the need for specialized teams and equipment
Emergency services and SAR teams are continuing operations while officials work to confirm details from the scene.
What Happens Next
With the wreckage located, the next steps typically include:
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confirming the status of those onboard and coordinating notifications
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securing the crash site
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collecting evidence for an aviation safety investigation to determine contributing factors (weather, terrain, mechanical issues, operational considerations)
Bottom Line
An Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42 (PK-THT) operating a government fisheries surveillance mission has crashed in South Sulawesi, and wreckage has been found in a mountainous area. SAR operations are ongoing, and the condition of the 11 people reportedly onboard has not yet been officially confirmed.
