RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation announced the chronology of the loss of contact with an ATR 42-500 aircraft belonging to Indonesia Air Transport on Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2026. The aircraft, built in 2000 with serial number 611 was flown by Pilot-in-Command Capt. Andy Dahananto.

The aircraft was carrying 11 people, including eight crew members and three passengers, and was en route from Adi Sucipto Airport in Yogyakarta to Makassar. However, the aircraft, registered PK-THT, lost contact over Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, shortly before approaching runway RWY 21 of Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar.

"Air Traffic Control Makassar Area Terminal Service Center (MATSC) directed the aircraft to approach runway RWY 21 of Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar at 04:23 UTC," said Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa in an official statement on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

However, the aircraft was not on the proper approach path. Air Traffic Control (ATC) then redirected the flight crew to correct its position.

"ATC then issued several further instructions to bring the aircraft back to the landing path according to procedure. After issuing the final instruction was issued, communication with the aircraft was lost," he said.

ATC then immediately declared a Distress Phase (DETRESFA). This is in accordance with applicable regulations.

The AirNav Indonesia MATSC branch then coordinated with the Basarnas Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) and the Maros Police, via the Airport Police Chief, to support search and rescue efforts.

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar has also prepared to open a crisis center in the Departures Terminal as an information center for families and related parties.

Based on data compiled by AirNav Indonesia, the plane's last known location is estimated to be around the Leang-leang area, Maros Regency, with coordinates of 04°57'08" South Latitude and 119°42'54" East Longitude.

The search is focused on the limestone mountains of Bantimurung in Leang-Leang Village in the Maros Regency. This location is also home to the nearest Basarnas post. Further search operations are planned via Indonesian Air Force helicopter flights in conjunction with Basarnas and are scheduled to begin at 4:25 p.m. local time.

Additionally, AirNav Indonesia is preparing to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the search and rescue activities.

Initial weather information from the time of the incident indicates visibility of approximately eight kilometers and slightly cloudy skies. Further details and confirmation are being coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

"We continue to monitor the situation and ensure that all handling measures are carried out optimally," Lukman said. At the same time, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation urged all flight operators to be more vigilant about weather dynamics.

The Ministry of Transportation requested that flight operators conduct optimal flight planning and comply with minimum weather requirements during dispatch, takeoff, and landing, in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Furthermore, flight operators were asked to implement the Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Toolkit as a preventive measure for incidents and accidents, particularly during approach and landing in mountainous areas or adverse weather conditions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation emphasized that this recommendation aligns with previous circulars and serves as a guideline for flight safety.

The Makassar National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) has deployed a search team.

The Head of the Makassar Basarnas Operations Section, Andi Sultan, confirmed that SAR personnel immediately moved to the suspected location. In this initial operation, Basarnas Makassar deployed approximately 25 personnel divided into three teams equipped with drones to assist in the aerial search. ***