A tragic aviation accident in Indonesia has claimed the lives of all 10 occupants aboard an ATR 42-500 operated by Indonesia Air Transport. The aircraft crashed into mountainous terrain in South Sulawesi on January 17, 2026. Authorities have now classified the accident as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), with investigators examining weather conditions and terrain challenges during the aircraft’s final approach.
Timeline of the Incident
The ATR 42-512 (registration PK-THT) departed Yogyakarta Adisutjipto International Airport at 8:23 AM local time on a maritime surveillance mission for Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The destination was Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (Makassar).
At around 1:30 PM, roughly 20 km northeast of Makassar, the aircraft disappeared from radar. Air traffic control had earlier observed the aircraft off the correct approach course and issued corrective instructions before contact was lost.
The aircraft’s last data showed:
- Altitude: 5,150 ft
- Ground speed: 221 knots
Search, Discovery & Recovery Efforts
On January 18 (Sunday), search teams located the wreckage on the fog-covered slopes of Mount Bulusaraung inside Bantimurung–Bulusaraung National Park.
Recovery conditions were described as severe due to:
- Steep, rugged terrain
- Dense forest cover
- Thick fog and low visibility
- Strong winds preventing air evacuations
Debris found included fuselage sections, tail components, an engine, and cabin windows. As of the most recent update:
- One victim has been recovered from a ravine
- The remaining nine are still at the crash site pending evacuation
Over 1,000 personnel from Basarnas, the military, police, and volunteer groups have been deployed.
Victims & Occupants
Total on board: 10 people
- Crew: 7
- Ministry personnel: 3
Flight Crew
- Captain Andi Dahananto (PIC, Director of Operations – Indonesia Air)
- First Officer Yudha Mahardika
- Flight attendants: Florencia Lolita, Esther Aprilita Pinarsinta Sianipar
- Three additional unnamed crew members
Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries Personnel
- Ferry Irawan – Vessel Monitoring Analyst
- Deden Mulyana – State Asset Manager
- Yoga Naufal – Aerial Photo Operator
Initial Investigation Findings (as of January 19)
Medical & Airworthiness Status
The Ministry of Transportation confirmed:
- All crew had valid medical certificates
- Captain’s Class 1 certificate valid until Jan 31, 2026
- Aircraft was airworthy and had valid oversight & inspection data
The aircraft had recently been converted for surveillance operations, but was cleared for flight.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Classification
Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has classified the crash as CFIT, meaning:
- The aircraft was under pilot control
- There was no intentional act
- Impact occurred due to loss of terrain awareness
Contributing factors under examination:
- Extremely low visibility (resident videos showed thick fog)
- Challenging topography northeast of Makassar
- Deviated approach path
Aircraft Background
Aircraft details:
- Model: ATR 42-512
- Serial Number: 611
- Built: 2000
- First delivered: Air Dolomiti (Italy), 2001
- Joined Indonesia Air Transport: 2010 (46-seat passenger configuration)
In 2024, the aircraft was converted into a maritime surveillance platform and contracted to the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance agency.
Historical Context
This is Indonesia’s first fatal ATR 42 crash in over 10 years. The last similar accident was in 2015, when a Trigana Air ATR 42-300 hit mountainous terrain in Papua, killing 54.
Indonesia’s aviation environment remains challenging due to:
- Mountainous terrain
- Island geography
- Tropical weather patterns
- Low-visibility conditions at approach-critical airports
Ongoing Investigation
KNKT is conducting a full investigation with support from aircraft manufacturer ATR, focusing on:
- Flight path & deviations
- Weather & visibility
- ATC communications
- Aircraft maintenance & recent modifications
- Crew training & terrain procedures
Recovery of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) is underway and will be critical for sequence reconstruction.
KNKT chief Soerjanto Tjahjono stated the agency will not speculate on human or technical factors until the analysis is complete.
Family Support & Identification Efforts
A victim identification post has been set up at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport. Families are providing:
- DNA samples
- Antemortem data
Relatives of First Officer Mahardika were among those who traveled to Makassar for identification procedures.
The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister announced full government support for families of ministry victims.
Conclusion
The crash of PK-THT underscores the dangers of:
- Mountainous approaches
- Low-visibility operations
- Situational awareness lapses
As operations continue on Mount Bulusaraung, the priority remains the recovery of all victims and support for their families. Investigation outcomes from KNKT are expected to shape future safety measures and procedural improvements.
This article will be updated as new official information becomes available.
