What Happened to the Aircraft That Lost Contact in South Sulawesi?
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Synopsis
An ATR 400 aircraft has lost contact while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar, triggering a search operation in South Sulawesi. This incident raises concerns about aviation safety in Indonesia, following a previous crash last September. Local authorities are actively investigating the situation.
Key Takeaways
- An ATR 400 aircraft lost contact over Maros Regency.
- Search operations involve local authorities and rescue teams.
- Previous incidents raise concerns about aviation safety.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the contact loss.
- Updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.
Jakarta, Jan 17 (NationPress) A ATR 400 aircraft traveling from Yogyakarta to Makassar has reportedly lost contact on Saturday in the vicinity of Maros Regency in South Sulawesi, according to reports from local Indonesian media.
The flight, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was on its way to land at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar when contact was lost at approximately 1:17 p.m. local time while navigating over the Maros region.
As per the information from local sources, the Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia (Basarnas) in Makassar stated that search teams have been deployed to the suspected area after receiving coordinate data from AirNav Indonesia, the nation’s air navigation service provider.
Andi Sultan, the head of operations at Basarnas Makassar office, mentioned, "We are currently proceeding to the location based on the coordinate points provided by AirNav, situated around the Leang-Leang area in Maros Regency." He further clarified that the aircraft had taken off from Yogyakarta and was en route to Makassar when it lost contact, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
A comprehensive search-and-rescue operation is underway, involving three teams and around 25 personnel sent to the area.
In a related statement, Maros Police Chief Douglas Mahendrajaya confirmed to local media that they are verifying the reports of the aircraft losing contact in the area, stating, "Yes, the information is accurate, but we are in the process of confirmation."
This incident comes after a similar event in September of the previous year, where an aircraft tragically crashed in Central Papua province, resulting in the loss of all four individuals aboard. The wreck was located within a canyon in Mimika regency, as reported by I Wayan Suyatna, head of the local search and rescue office, who also noted that the bodies were evacuated to a hospital in Timika, the capital of the regency.
The helicopter was en route from Ilaga Airport in Puncak regency to Mozes Kilangin Airport in Mimika when the tragic incident occurred.
Point of View
I emphasize the urgency and seriousness of incidents involving aviation safety. The loss of contact with the ATR 400 aircraft in South Sulawesi highlights the critical need for robust search and rescue operations. We remain committed to providing timely updates and analyses as this story develops.
NationPress
17/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the ATR 400 to lose contact?
The exact cause of the ATR 400 losing contact is still under investigation by local authorities and aviation experts.
How many people were on board the aircraft?
The number of individuals on board the ATR 400 at the time of contact loss has not yet been disclosed.
What is being done to locate the aircraft?
Search teams from Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency have been dispatched to the last known location based on coordinates provided by AirNav Indonesia.
Is this the first incident of its kind in Indonesia?
No, Indonesia has experienced similar incidents in the past, including a tragic crash in Central Papua last September.
What should passengers know about flight safety in Indonesia?
Passengers should stay informed about aviation safety standards and the operational history of the airline they choose.
