Sun Jan 18 04:15:50 UTC 2026: # Indonesian Fisheries Surveillance Plane Crashes, One Body Recovered
The Story:
On January 17, 2026, an ATR 42-500 turboprop owned by Indonesia Air Transport went missing around the Maros region in South Sulawesi. The plane, chartered by Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, was conducting air surveillance on fisheries. On January 18, 2026, Indonesian authorities located the wreckage on Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi. One body has been recovered from the crash site, with a search underway for the remaining nine people on board.
Key Points:
- The incident occurred on January 17, 2026, with the wreckage located on January 18, 2026.
- The aircraft was an ATR 42-500 turboprop.
- The plane was chartered by Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry for air surveillance.
- There were 10 people on board: 7 crew members and 3 ministry staff members.
- The wreckage was found on Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region, South Sulawesi.
- One body has been recovered; the search continues for the remaining nine.
- The head of South Sulawesi’s rescue agency has deployed 1,200 personnel for the search.
- Investigators suggest a “controlled flight into terrain” scenario.
- The last signal from the plane was received at 0420 GMT about 20 km northeast of Makassar airport.
Key Takeaways:
- The crash highlights the challenges of aviation in regions with difficult terrain and weather conditions, such as thick fog and mountainous areas.
- The incident underscores the risks associated with fisheries surveillance operations.
- The “controlled flight into terrain” assessment suggests a potential focus for the investigation on pilot awareness, instrument function, or potential distractions.
First Piper 