Search for ATR 400 Aircraft Hampered by Poor Weather, Low Visibility

Makassar: Search efforts for an ATR 400 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) have been hampered by adverse weather conditions and thick cloud cover. The aircraft is suspected to have crashed in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, at around 1:00 p.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA) on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

“Conditions at the search area are not conducive, as thick cloud cover has significantly reduced visibility, compounded by darkness during the night,” said Commander of the XIV/Hasanuddin Military Command, Major General Bangun Nawoko, in Makassar on Sunday, January 18, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He said the search and rescue (SAR) operation involves a joint team from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Indonesian Air Force, with support from other stakeholders, including AirNav Indonesia.

Initial information from the Ministry of Forestry indicated that weather conditions at the time the aircraft lost contact were partly cloudy, with visibility of approximately eight kilometers.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has since released weather data for the coordinates where the aircraft was last detected, showing thick cloud cover with the potential for light to moderate rainfall from midday through the evening.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast for Maros Regency indicates cloudy conditions with the possibility of light rain over the next several days.

Earlier, BMKG issued an early warning for hazardous weather across parts of South Sulawesi in early January 2026, including the risk of heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. In response, the XIV/Hasanuddin Military Command has deployed additional personnel and joint teams to continue the search operations.