Indonesia Air Transport ATR 400 Vanishes Near Makassar; SAR Teams Mobilize
Key Points
- 1An ATR 400 aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, lost contact at 1:17 p.m. local time on Saturday.
- 2The flight was en route from Yogyakarta to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
- 3Indonesia's Basarnas deployed three search-and-rescue teams, totaling 25 personnel, to the suspected location near Maros Regency.
- 4The aircraft was reportedly carrying 11 people: eight crew members and three passengers.
An Indonesia Air Transport ATR 400 aircraft has lost contact. The turboprop was flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar, Indonesia. It disappeared from radar over Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.
The aircraft lost contact at 1:17 p.m. local time. Its destination was Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. Reports indicate 11 people were aboard the flight. This included eight crew members and three passengers.
Search and Rescue Operation
Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) quickly responded. They dispatched search teams to the suspected location. The teams received coordinate data from AirNav Indonesia. This is the country's air navigation service provider.
Andi Sultan is the head of operations for Basarnas Makassar. He confirmed teams are heading to the Leang-Leang area. Preliminary information confirms the aircraft's route. A joint Makassar search and rescue operation is underway. It involves three teams and about 25 personnel.
Local police are also verifying the reports. Maros Police Chief Douglas Mahendrajaya confirmed the information is being checked.
Aviation Context and Oversight
The ATR turboprop aircraft is a regional model. It is built by a joint venture involving Airbus. Turboprops are essential for Indonesia's vast archipelago. They connect smaller, regional airports.
This incident brings focus to the Indonesian aviation safety record. The country's safety standards have improved significantly. This followed stricter oversight by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The goal is to align with ICAO safety benchmarks.
Aviation stakeholders are monitoring the situation closely. The loss of contact highlights the challenges of air traffic management. It also underscores the importance of robust safety protocols. The Basarnas search teams dispatched must quickly locate the aircraft. This is critical for any survivors and the subsequent investigation. The Indonesia Air Transport ATR 400 loss will be a key focus for regulators. The investigation will seek to determine the cause of the aircraft loses contact South Sulawesi event. The manufacturer, ATR, is also expected to offer technical support.
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Written by
Ujjwal SukhwaniAviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
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