Basarnas Confirms 11 Aboard Missing ATR 42-500 in Sulawesi

Jakarta: Indonesia’s search and rescue agency Basarnas has confirmed that the Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) ATR 42-500 aircraft reported missing in Maros District, South Sulawesi, was carrying 11 people.

Basarnas Director of Operations Edy Prakoso said the turboprop aircraft lost contact while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar, the provincial capital of South Sulawesi.

“The aircraft was carrying 11 people, consisting of eight crew members and three passengers. The last contact was recorded at 1:17 p.m. local time,” Prakoso said, quoted from Antara, Saturday 17 January 2026.

Citing data from AirNav Indonesia, he said the aircraft’s last known position was detected at coordinates 04°57’08” south latitude and 119°42’54” east longitude, in the Leang-Leang area of Maros District.

Following the report, the Makassar SAR office immediately deployed search teams to the area. A total of 25 personnel have been dispatched and divided into three units to locate the missing aircraft, registered as PK-THT.

“The teams are currently moving toward the last known location in Leang-Leang,” Prakoso said.

The operation involves one personnel truck, one rescue vehicle, and a drone unit for aerial surveillance.

Search efforts remain ongoing, with Basarnas vowing to continue intensive operations until the aircraft and those on board are located.