At a Glance
- An Indonesia Air Transport turboprop carrying 11 people disappeared mid-flight
- Last contact made at 1:17 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 17
- Wreckage reportedly spotted on Mount Bulusaraung by hikers
- Why it matters: The crash involves government fisheries staff on official duty, intensifying the urgency of the search
A passenger plane carrying 11 people vanished in Indonesia during a routine two-hour flight, prompting a full-scale search-and-rescue operation.
The Indonesia Air Transport turboprop was en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar when it dropped off radar. The aircraft was carrying eight crew members and three passengers, according to Indonesia’s national search-and-rescue agency.
Timeline of the Disappearance
- Saturday, January 17, 1:17 p.m. local time – Final contact with air traffic control
- Flight path – Yogyakarta to Makassar (scheduled two-hour duration)
- Last known location – Maros District, South Sulawesi
Edy Prakoso, director of operations at Basarnas, confirmed the timeline to Antara, Indonesia’s national news agency. Radar data indicates the plane likely went down over the Maros District.
Immediate Response
Rescue teams sprang into action within hours. Basarnas deployed 25 search-and-rescue officers divided into three groups to scour the mountainous terrain.
The breakthrough came from hikers on Mount Bulusaraung. They reported seeing scattered debris bearing what appeared to be the Indonesia Air logo. Small fires burned in the area, suggesting recent impact.
Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, South Sulawesi’s Hasanuddin military commander, verified the eyewitness accounts. “The sightings were reported to authorities and are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the area,” he said in a statement.
Government Personnel on Board
The flight carried more than civilians. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, revealed that three ministry employees were aboard the aircraft.
They were traveling as part of a surveillance mission. Their work supported Indonesia’s fisheries management operations, making the flight an official government operation.
Current Status
Search teams continue combing the mountainous region. The challenging terrain has slowed verification of the debris field spotted by hikers.
Indonesia Air Transport and Basarnas did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment on January 17.
The search operation remains active as rescuers race to locate survivors and determine the cause of the crash.
