Missing ATR 42-500 in Indonesia confirmed crashed as rescue efforts continue
January 18, 2026
Indonesian authorities confirmed on Sunday morning that the wreckage of the ATR 42-500 that was reported missing on Saturday has been found, Reuters announced, citing local media. While rescue efforts continue for any survivors, authorities highlighted that the search was not easy, given the mountainous terrain and thick fog.
The accident occurred yesterday afternoon and involved an ATR 42-500 aircraft that belonged to the Indonesian Air Transport aviation group, and was chartered to the country’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.
The cause of the accident is currently unknown, but Indonesia’s aviation safety bureau says it will lead the investigation.
Rescuers have begun search efforts for survivors
11 people were on board, of which eight were crew members, and three were passengers. With the wreckage found, authorities are now searching for any possible survivors. The fog-covered mountainous terrain makes the efforts especially challenging.
“Our priority is to search for the victims, and we hope that there are some that we can evacuate safely,” said Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of South Sulawesi’s rescue agency. He also confirmed that the wreckage had been found at 07:46 local time by the agency’s helicopter crews.
‼UPD: Indonesian rescue teams have recovered wreckage from a missing ATR 42-500 aircraft believed to have crashed in a mountainous area of Sulawesi with 11 people on board. The turboprop, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, disappeared from radar while approaching Makassar… https://t.co/aHw42Yzwet pic.twitter.com/u3PXT76bXH
— News.Az (@news_az) January 18, 2026
“And around 7:49 am, we discovered large parts of the aircraft, suspected to be the fuselage of the plane,” explained Andi Sultan, an official at South Sulawesi’s rescue agency. The tail was spotted at the bottom of the mountain slope.
Video footage shows that the debris was scattered across the mountain. The agency has deployed 1200 personnel for the search and rescue efforts for the 11 missing passengers and crew.
What happened to the ATR 42-500 in Indonesia?
On Saturday afternoon, the turboprop aircraft was operating a flight from Yogyakarta on the country’s primary Java Island to Makassar, the capital city of the South Sulawesi province, further eastward.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at around 13:30 local time, shortly before its arrival into Makassar over Mount Bulusaraung. It had already been cleared for approach into runway 21.
ATC reportedly noted that the plane was not on the correct approach path and alerted the pilots. However, radio contact was lost.
The aircraft involved was PK-THT, a 25.3-year-old aircraft that first entered into service with Air Dolomiti in 2001. It has been operating for the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance service since May 2025.
We are following reports in local media that an ATR 42-500, registration PK-THT, is missing in Indonesia.
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 17, 2026
The aircraft was flying over the ocean at low altitude, so our coverage was limited. We received the last signal at 04:20 UTC, about 20 km northeast of Makassar Airport.… pic.twitter.com/7qSroxEXfT
In a statement on Saturday, aircraft manufacturer ATR said: “ATR has been informed that an accident occurred in Indonesia involving an ATR 42-500. Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by the accident. The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation led by the Indonesian authorities and the operator.”
What was the cause of the accident?
The cause is currently unclear. Investigation efforts will be led by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee. Typically, the manufacturer is involved in this process, as well as other international safety agencies that have additional experience and expertise.
This could include the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety and the American National Transportation Safety Board, both of which are typically involved in aircraft accidents of this sort.
Featured image: Markus Mainka | stock.adobe.com. Not the aircraft involved in the accident.
