SAR Team Recovers One Body from Missing ATR 42-500 Aircraft in South Sulawesi
en01.web.id – Maros, Sulawesi Selatan.
Indonesia’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team has recovered one body from the wreckage of a turboprop ATR 42-500 aircraft that lost contact while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar. The discovery was made in the mountainous area of Mount Bulusaraung, Maros Regency, after an intensive multi-day search operation.
The aircraft, operated by PT Indonesia Air Transport (IAT), lost contact with air traffic controllers on Friday, January 17, 2026, while entering South Sulawesi airspace. According to official data, the chartered flight was carrying 11 people, consisting of crew members and passengers assigned to a government mission.
Head of Basarnas Makassar, Muhammad Arif Anwar, confirmed the discovery of the victim. “One body was found approximately 200 meters below the main wreckage site in a steep ravine,” Anwar said during a press briefing on Monday. He added that the victim was immediately evacuated for formal identification.
Search operations faced significant challenges due to thick fog, heavy rain, and extremely steep terrain, which limited visibility and slowed evacuation efforts. SAR teams deployed both ground units and helicopters to reach the crash site, located deep within a protected forest area.
Earlier, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, SAR personnel detected aircraft debris scattered across the mountainside. The debris field was first spotted by an aerial patrol before ground teams confirmed it belonged to the missing ATR aircraft.
According to Anwar, “Weather conditions remain unpredictable, but our teams continue to work carefully and systematically to ensure the safety of rescuers while prioritizing the recovery of all victims.” He emphasized that search operations would continue without interruption.
The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has begun a formal investigation into the incident. KNKT Chairman Soerjanto Tjahjono stated that early indicators suggest the aircraft may have experienced controlled flight into terrain, though he stressed that the final cause has not yet been determined.
As of Monday afternoon, 10 people remain unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that SAR operations will continue, while the government has pledged full support for victim identification and assistance to the families affected by the tragedy.
(rd/ks/jk)