Sun Jan 18 04:15:50 UTC 2026: ### Fisheries Surveillance Plane Wreckage Located in Indonesia; Search for 11 on Board Underway

The Story:

Indonesian authorities located the wreckage of an ATR 42-500 turboprop plane on Sunday, January 18, 2026, that had gone missing the previous day in South Sulawesi province. The aircraft, owned by Indonesia Air Transport and chartered by the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, lost contact with air traffic control around 1:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 17, 2026. A search and rescue operation is currently underway for the 11 people on board, including eight crew members and three ministry staff members.

The wreckage was found in different locations around Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region. Rescue teams are facing challenging conditions due to thick fog and mountainous terrain, hindering the search efforts. The National Transportation Safety Committee will lead an investigation into the crash to determine the cause.

Key Points:

  • The missing ATR 42-500 was located on January 18, 2026, after going missing on January 17, 2026.
  • The plane was a fisheries surveillance aircraft chartered by Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.
  • There were 11 people on board: eight crew members and three ministry staff members.
  • The wreckage was found near Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi.
  • 1,200 personnel have been deployed to search for survivors.
  • The last signal from the plane was received about 20 km northeast of Makassar airport at 0420 GMT.
  • The cause of the crash is currently unknown and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Committee.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indonesia faces recurring challenges in air transport safety due to its vast archipelago and reliance on air travel.
  • Difficult terrain and weather conditions are significantly hampering the search and rescue efforts.
  • The National Transportation Safety Committee investigation will be crucial in determining the cause of the crash and preventing future incidents.
  • The aircraft was on a routine surveillance mission, highlighting the importance of air support for fisheries management in Indonesia.

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