Indonesian ATR 42-500 Vanishes Near Makassar; Search Underway After Loss of Contact and Reported Explosion

An ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) has gone missing near Makassar, South Sulawesi, after losing contact with air traffic control and prompting reports of an explosion.

The turboprop, registration PK-THT, departed Yogyakarta bound for Makassar carrying 11 people—three passengers and eight crew members.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the last signal was received at approximately 04:20 UTC (11:20 local time), about 20 km northeast of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG). The aircraft was flying at low altitude over the ocean when controllers attempted to redirect it back to the correct approach path for Runway 21. Communication ceased shortly afterward, leading ATC to declare a distress phase (DETRESFA).

Residents in Maros District reported hearing a sound “like burning material” followed by a loud explosion. Social media footage appears to show fiery debris on a mountain near Leang-Leang in the Bantimurung limestone area, close to the last known coordinates.

Rescue teams led by Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) have mobilized three units with 60 personnel, supported by helicopters, drones, police, AirNav Indonesia, the Indonesian Air Force, and the airline. A crisis center has been activated at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport.

The aircraft, built in 2000, was piloted by Captain Andy Dahananto and operated under IAT’s Air Operator Certificate for surveillance duties with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Weather conditions at the time were partly cloudy with visibility of about 8 km.

No survivors or confirmed fatalities have been reported yet, as search efforts continue in challenging mountainous and coastal terrain. Authorities are coordinating with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for further updates.