ATR Aircraft Lost Contact in Maros, Search and Rescue Operation are Underway

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that an ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) lost contact over Maros District, South Sulawesi, and is currently the subject of an active search and rescue operation.

The aircraft, registered PK-THT, was flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar when communication was lost. The search area includes the Bantimurung limestone mountain range near Leang-Leang Village, where the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has established a forward command post.

“The search is focused on the Bantimurung karst area in Maros. A Basarnas post has been set up close to the suspected location,” Transportation Ministry official Lukman F. Laisa said in Jakarta on Saturday as quoted from Antara.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation received the initial loss-of-contact report on Saturday, January 17. The ATR 42-500, manufactured in 2000 with serial number 611, was operating under Air Operator Certificate (AOC) 034, with Captain Andy Dahananto serving as pilot in command.

According to the ministry’s chronology, at 04:23 UTC the aircraft was instructed by Makassar Area Terminal Service Center (MATSC) air traffic control to conduct an approach to Runway 21 at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

“During the approach, ATC observed that the aircraft was not aligned with the correct flight path and issued several corrective instructions,” Laisa said.

Communication was lost after the final instruction was transmitted, prompting air traffic control to declare a Distress Phase (DETRESFA) in accordance with standard aviation procedures.

AirNav Indonesia’s MATSC unit has coordinated with the Basarnas Rescue Coordination Center and the Maros Police, while Sultan Hasanuddin Airport has activated a Crisis Center at the departure terminal to manage information and support the search operation.

AirNav Indonesia is also preparing to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) related to the ongoing search and rescue activities.

The number of people on board is reported to be 10, comprising seven crew members and three passengers, Laisa said.

Preliminary weather data indicated visibility of around eight kilometers with partly cloudy conditions at the time of the incident. Further meteorological details are still being verified with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it continues to coordinate closely with AirNav Indonesia, Basarnas, the aircraft operator, the Indonesian Air Force, and the Makassar Region V Airport Authority, and will provide updates as more confirmed information becomes available.