Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian authorities reported on Saturday that an ATR 42-500 reconnaissance plane belonging to the Indonesian Maritime Transportation Agency (BMKG) with 11 people on board went missing. Rescue teams launched an intensive search operation to locate the aircraft.
An official from the local rescue agency explained that the plane lost contact with air traffic control around 1:30 p.m. local time near Marus Regency in South Sulawesi province. The aircraft was en route to the regional capital, Makassar, after taking off from Yogyakarta province. He added that the plane was carrying three passengers and eight crew members.
The official indicated that authorities deployed approximately 400 personnel from military and security units to search for the aircraft. However, poor weather conditions hampered the search efforts. He explained that the plane is suspected to have crashed near the summit of Mount Pulusaraung, where rescue teams are stationed.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries confirmed that the aircraft had been leased for aerial surveillance of fisheries. It also stated that the three passengers were ministry employees. The aircraft, a turboprop with a capacity of 42 to 50 passengers, reportedly lost its tracking systems at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet over the Java Sea before its presumed crash.
The French-Italian manufacturer, ATR, announced that it was aware of the incident and was providing support to the local operator and the investigating authorities. It emphasized the importance of cooperation in determining the circumstances of the crash.
This incident is the latest in a series of civil aviation accidents in Indonesia, which faces significant challenges due to its rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions. These factors complicate rescue operations and necessitate a rapid response to minimize potential casualties.
