Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42 crashed in South Sulawesi, wreckage located

An ATR 42 turboprop aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport has crashed in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, with rescue operations currently underway.

According to early information from local media and flight tracking data, the aircraft — an ATR 42-500 registered PK-THT — disappeared from radar coverage while flying at low altitude over the sea. The last known signal was received at 04:20 UTC, approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

The aircraft was operating on behalf of Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, performing surveillance duties for the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance Agency (PSDKP). Indonesia Air Transport was acting as the contracted operator for the government mission.

Authorities later confirmed that the aircraft, identified as an ATR 42-512, had crashed under still unknown circumstances in the Bulusaraung Pangkep mountain area in South Sulawesi. Search teams have since located the wreckage at the crash site.

Initial reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying 11 people in total, including eight crew members and three passengers.

The condition of those onboard has not yet been officially confirmed. Emergency services and search-and-rescue teams remain active in the mountainous terrain, which is known to be difficult to access.