The disappearance and crash of Indonesia Air Transportโs ATR 42โ500 PKโTHT on January 17, 2026 quickly became a major aviation emergency in South Sulawesi. The aircraft was operating a government charter on the YogyakartaโMakassar route for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries when it lost contact with air traffic control at 13:17 WITA. Its last known position was in the rugged area between Maros and Pangkep Regencies, near the limestone formations of LeangโLeang, an area known for steep terrain and rapidly changing weather. The sudden loss of communication triggered an immediate distress phase and the deployment of searchโandโrescue teams.
Authorities later confirmed that PKโTHT had crashed while on approach to MakassarโSultan Hasanuddin Airport, with early indications pointing to an impact in the vicinity of Mount Bulusaraung, a prominent peak within the BantimurungโBulusaraung National Park. The aircraft was carrying 11 peopleโ3 passengers and 8 crew membersโall of whom were involved in government operations. Reports from local residents of an explosion and smoke on the mountainside helped narrow the search area, and SAR teams began navigating the difficult terrain under challenging weather conditions.
As rescue operations continued, officials emphasized that the aircraft had been on a routine charter flight and had not issued any distress call before disappearing. The combination of mountainous terrain, low visibility, and the aircraftโs deviation from its expected approach path suggests a rapidโonset event, with controlled flight into terrain emerging as an early possibility. Indonesiaโs National Transportation Safety Committee is expected to lead a full investigation once the site is secured.
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