Indonesia: Rescue team finds aircraft wreckage after it loses contact mid-flight

Rescue teams in Indonesia have located debris from a missing surveillance aircraft on a mountain slope in South Sulawesi, narrowing the search area after the plane lost contact mid-flight. Authorities say challenging terrain and poor weather are slowing efforts as teams focus on locating passengers and crew

Rescuers in
Indonesia have discovered debris from a missing surveillance plane believed to have crashed while flying over rugged terrain in South Sulawesi, officials said on Sunday. The find comes nearly a day after the turboprop ATR 42-500 lost contact with air traffic controllers during its approach to Makassar Airport amid cloudy conditions, triggering a large-scale search operation.

Debris spotted on mountain slopes

Local search teams and air crews spotted pieces of the aircraft scattered on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region on Sunday morning.

Among the wreckage were what appeared to be a small aircraft window, parts of the fuselage, and the plane’s tail section, as reported by the Associated Press. The discovery gives rescuers a more precise area to focus on as they continue to comb the site for survivors.

“The discovery of the aircraft’s main sections significantly narrows the search zone and offers a crucial clue for tightening the search area. Our joint search and rescue teams are now focusing on searching for the victims, especially those who might still be alive,” Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office, said at a news conference.

WATCH: Wreckage of Indonesian ATR 42-500 located on Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi after crash near Makassar–Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport; 11 feared dead. https://t.co/YQQVP4LiWb pic.twitter.com/lpdmt8Ae56

— Intel Net (@TheIntelNet) January 18, 2026

Note: Firstpost could not independently verify the authenticity of the video

Challenging conditions hamper efforts

Despite the breakthrough, rescuers are battling steep terrain, thick fog, and strong winds that have made reaching the crash site difficult. Ground and air teams are moving cautiously, often trekking along narrow ridgelines blanketed in heavy mist to reach scattered wreckage across the mountain.

Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, commander of South Sulawesi’s Hasanuddin military region, explained that the harsh weather and landscape have slowed progress, but efforts are ongoing with determination.

Who was on board?

The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, had been chartered by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for a fisheries surveillance mission. It was carrying eight crew members and three ministry personnel when it vanished from radar on Saturday afternoon near the Leang-Leang area of Maros.

Authorities have not yet reported whether any survivors have been found. A national investigation is expected to be launched to determine what caused the plane’s sudden disappearance from radar during an otherwise routine flight.

With the wreckage discovery, rescue operations have moved to a more focused phase, with teams combing the area around the debris for any signs of the missing passengers and crew.