Indonesia Air Transport ATR Aircraft Loses Contact Over South Sulawesi

[This article has been updated at 08:10 p.m. GMT+7 on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 with official statement from The MInistry of Transportation]

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia Air Transport or IAT lost contact with its ATR 42-500 aircraft on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 in South Sulawesi while approaching Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport after the aircraft was found to be off its designated approach path, triggering emergency procedures and a large-scale search operation.

The Transport Ministry said air traffic controllers had issued multiple corrective instructions before communication with the aircraft was cut, prompting authorities to declare a distress phase and mobilize rescue teams.

The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said the aircraft was an ATR 42-500 manufactured in 2000 with serial number 611 and registered as PK-THT, operated by Indonesia Air Transport under Air Operator Certificate 034.

“The aircraft was operating a flight from Adi Sucipto Yogyakarta to Sultan Hasanuddin Makassar, with Captain Andy Dahananto as the pilot in command,” Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa said in a statement on Saturday.

According to Lukman, at 04:23 UTC the aircraft was instructed by Makassar Area Terminal Service Center to conduct an approach to Runway 21 at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport. “During the approach process, the aircraft was identified as not being on the prescribed approach path, so air traffic control instructed the flight crew to correct its position,” Lukman said.

He added that controllers issued further instructions to guide the aircraft back onto the proper landing path. “After the delivery of the final instruction by air traffic control, communication with the aircraft was lost,” Lukman said.

Following the loss of contact, air traffic control declared the emergency phase known as DETRESFA in accordance with applicable procedures.

AirNav Indonesia’s Makassar Area Terminal Service Center immediately coordinated with the National Search and Rescue Agency and the Maros Police through the airport police unit. “Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport has prepared to open a crisis center at the departure terminal as a coordination hub for information,” Lukman said.

Search efforts were focused on the limestone mountain area of Bantimurung in Leang-leang Village, Maros Regency, with a Basarnas command post established near the site. “Further search operations are planned to be carried out using Indonesian Air Force helicopters together with Basarnas, scheduled to begin at 16:25 Central Indonesia Time,” Lukman said.

AirNav Indonesia was also preparing to issue a Notice to Airmen related to search and rescue activities in the affected airspace. Lukman said the aircraft was carrying 10 people, consisting of seven crew members and three passengers.

Regarding weather conditions, he said preliminary information indicated visibility of around eight kilometers with slightly cloudy conditions. “Further details and confirmation are still being coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency,” Lukman said.

He stressed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation continued to maintain intensive coordination through the Makassar Regional Airport Authority together with AirNav Indonesia, Basarnas, the airline operator, the Indonesian Air Force, and other relevant agencies. “We will continue to provide information updates periodically in line with official developments in the field,” Lukman said.

Earlier, the Makassar Search and Rescue Office said the aircraft lost contact at 13:17 Central Indonesia Time in the Maros Pangkep area, with preliminary information indicating the aircraft was carrying 11 people, including eight crew members and three passengers. No official details were released on the condition of those on board at the time of reporting.

The Makassar SAR office deployed a rescue team of 15 personnel supported by a truck, a rescue vehicle, and a drone to assist search efforts. Authorities said the operation would continue until further information was confirmed.

Indonesia Air Transport (IAT)

Indonesia Air Transport operates ATR 42-500 turboprops as part of its fleet, mainly serving charter flights in remote regions.

Ownership and Operations: PT Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) is an aviation company based at Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, primarily serving Indonesia’s onshore/offshore oil, gas, and mining industries. Founded in 1968 to support state oil company Pertamina, IAT is now owned by PT Global Transport Services, a subsidiary of the MNC Group (one of Indonesia’s largest media conglomerates). The airline holds an Indonesian Category-1 safety rating and is listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange under the ticker IATA.

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IAT specializes in charter and contract flying – transporting personnel and cargo for oil, gas, and mining clients – along with executive VIP flights, medical evacuation, aerial surveying, and tourism charters. It operates its main hub in Jakarta (Halim Airport) with a secondary base in Balikpapan (East Kalimantan) to support energy industry operations.

The company has also offered limited scheduled passenger services, for example from Bali to nearby islands like Lombok and Flores. In addition, IAT provides aircraft leasing, maintenance, and training services, and at its peak operated a diverse fleet including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to access short or unimproved airstrips across the archipelago.

As of 2025, Indonesia Air Transport maintains a relatively small fleet focused on specialized client needs. The current fleet includes 1 ATR 42-500 turboprop (roughly 48-seat regional airliner) and 1 Embraer Legacy 600 business jet. These aircraft enable both commuter flights to remote areas and corporate charter missions.

Historically, IAT’s fleet was larger – in 2010 it had over 20 aircraft – including models like the Fokker 50 turboprop and various Eurocopter helicopters for offshore operations. Today, the ATR 42 remains key for connecting smaller oilfield airstrips and regional airports, while the Legacy 600 serves VIP charters. This niche, “high-reliability” service approach has given IAT a strong reputation for safely supporting Indonesia’s resource industry over decades.

ATR “400” Series Aircraft and Regional Role

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The Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) family comprises twin-turboprop regional airliners, notably the ATR 42 and the larger ATR 72. The term “ATR 400” typically refers to the ATR 42-400 series – an upgraded variant of the ATR 42 introduced in the early 1990s with improved engines and 4-blade propellers (bridging the original -300 and later -500 models).

ATR turboprops are among the world’s most widely used regional aircraft, valued for their fuel efficiency, short takeoff ability, and lower operating costs on routes unsuitable for jets. As of the mid-2020s, ATR has sold over 1,700 aircraft to more than 200 operators in 100+ countries, dominating the 50–70 seat turboprop market.

Over 450 million passengers have flown on ATR aircraft since the program’s inception. They are particularly popular in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America for connecting smaller cities and remote areas. The ATR 42/72’s rugged design and short-field performance allow operation from small airports – modern variants can use runways under 1,000 m long.

This capability, along with reliable systems and the advantage of a common type rating for pilots across the ATR family, has led regional airlines to deploy ATRs on feeder routes, island hops, and high-frequency shuttles.

Indonesia – an archipelago of thousands of islands with many short runways – has embraced ATR aircraft for regional connectivity. Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air Group, operates one of the world’s largest ATR fleets. As of 2022 Wings Air had 54 ATR 72s in service, flying to secondary cities and remote towns that larger jets can’t serve.

These turboprops link hubs like Bali, Surabaya, and Makassar to smaller airports across Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua. For example, Wings Air ATR 72s connect Bali to Lombok and Labuan Bajo, or operate lifeline routes in Papua’s highlands. Garuda Indonesia also integrated ATR 72-600s (branded “Explore”) into its fleet to serve short hops between provincial airports.

Other Indonesian carriers such as Trigana Air Service and Xpress Air have used ATR 42s on pioneer routes in Kalimantan and Papua. The ATR’s ability to carry ~50–70 passengers profitably on short sectors, and to land on limited infrastructure, is a major advantage in the Indonesian market.

Notably, Indonesian authorities and airlines are interested in ATR’s new 42-600S (Short Takeoff and Landing version) to reach even more remote strips only ~800–900 m long. Overall, the ATR 42/72 has proven highly relevant in Indonesia’s regional aviation – enabling affordable connectivity between dispersed islands and communities, where its turboprop efficiency and short-field capability meet a vital transportation need.

Recent Incidents Involving ATR Aircraft in Indonesia, 2021–2026

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In the past five years, Indonesia Air Transport itself has not been involved in any major air accidents reported in public records. The company’s operations have remained incident-free in that period.

However, several ATR 42/72 incidents and accidents have occurred in Indonesia since 2021, given the widespread use of these turboprops, albeit none of them were fatal.

Below is a summary of notable events involving ATR aircraft on Indonesian operations, including dates, operators, locations, outcomes, and investigation findings where available:

31 May 2022 – Wings Air ATR-72-500, Bali

A Wings Air ATR 72-500 (registration PK-WGF) arriving from Lombok mistakenly taxied into a ditch along the apron at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport. After landing in heavy rain, the crew took a wrong taxiway turn; the aircraft’s main wheels dropped into an unmarked drainage ditch off the pavement.

All 68 passengers and crew were unharmed, and they deplaned safely on the apron with no injuries reported. The ATR suffered damage to its belly and fuselage, and Indonesia’s NTSC opened an investigation into airport signage/crew awareness. The incident highlighted taxiing hazards in low-visibility conditions. (Repairs were made and the aircraft was returned to service after inspections.)

26 Sep 2022 – Pelita Air ATR-72-500, Balikpapan

A runway excursion occurred on landing at Balikpapan’s Sepinggan Airport involving a Pelita Air ATR 72-212A (PK-PAH). The aircraft touched down on Runway 25 but veered to the right, with the right main gear leaving the runway surface before the crew corrected back onto the runway.

The ATR stopped safely on the runway; no damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the 3 crew and 21 passengers resulted. Indonesia’s aviation authority classified it as a serious incident and investigated possible factors (e.g. crosswind or landing technique). The preliminary report noted no mechanical issues; the event was likely due to momentary loss of directional control during the landing roll.

17 Feb 2024 – Wings Air ATR-72-600, Dekai (Papua)

A Wings Air ATR 72-600 on approach to Nop Goliat Dekai Airport in Papua was shot at from the ground by an armed separatist group (often referred to as the “KKB”) during its landing phase. A bullet penetrated the left side of the fuselage and lodged above a passenger seat.

No crash occurred – the aircraft landed safely and was able to depart after temporary repairs. Out of 36 people on board, one passenger sustained a minor neck injury from flying bullet fragments, but no serious harm befell anyone. The incident, which took place in daylight, prompted security forces to sweep the area; the perpetrators escaped.

This attack underscored the security challenges of operating in Papua’s conflict areas. Despite the scare, Wings Air and authorities continued flight operations at Dekai with heightened precautions.

9 Sep 2024 – Trigana Air ATR-42-500, Serui (Papua)

Trigana Air Flight IL292, an ATR 42-500 (PK-YSP) with 48 people, had a serious accident at Serui Airport. During takeoff roll for a flight to Jayapura, a malfunction in the propeller control system caused asymmetric thrust: the right engine’s torque surged to 116% while the left remained at ~90%, and the right propeller’s RPM dropped abnormally.

Recognizing the anomaly at around 100 knots, the crew aborted takeoff. The aircraft could not stay on the runway – it veered left and ran off the runway, coming to rest about 1,200 m down from the threshold. All 42 passengers and 6 crew evacuated safely with no injuries.

However, the ATR 42’s nose gear collapsed and it sustained substantial damage to the airframe, resulting in a hull write-off. An investigation by the NTSC found that a fault in the Propeller Electronic Control (PEC) for engine #2 had occurred (warnings for “PEC 2” then “PEC 1” fault were noted as the aircraft veered off).

Notably, the same PEC-2 fault had been logged on two occasions in the weeks prior (27 and 30 August 2024) without resolution. The preliminary report recommended improved maintenance troubleshooting for propeller control units. This incident highlighted the importance of engine control system reliability on twin-turboprop aircraft. Trigana Air subsequently grounded its remaining ATRs for thorough inspections after the Serui accident.