An explosion was heard prior to a plane losing contact with air traffic control and disappearing. The aircraft vanished in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, while en route to Makassar, prompting a search operation for the missing plane amid concerns of a possible crash. The ATR 42-500 had departed from Yogyakarta and communication was lost approximately 12 miles into the flight.
The missing aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was carrying three passengers and eight crew members when it disappeared from radar systems. Emergency services have been dispatched to the suspected crash site to search for any survivors.
A collaborative search and rescue team is currently scouring the Maros Regency in South Sulawesi for the crash site, with authorities indicating a high possibility of a crash. Debris sightings in the mountainous region have also been reported.
Maj Gen Bangun Nawoko, Commander of the XIV Hasanuddin Military Region, suggested it was highly likely that the aircraft had gone down, citing reports of an explosion prior to its disappearance.
The search efforts are concentrated on identified “hotspots” where the plane is believed to have gone down, situated in densely forested areas. Director General of Air Transport, Lukman Laisa, mentioned that the plane had deviated from its designated path, leading to attempts by air traffic control to guide it back before losing contact.
The aircraft was reportedly flying at a low altitude over the sea, with the last signal received at 11:20 am local time, approximately 12 miles northeast of Yogyakarta airport. ATR, the manufacturer, expressed condolences for the incident and assured full cooperation with the investigation in Indonesia.
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