An Indonesian government surveillance aircraft carrying eleven people has been reported missing after losing contact with air traffic control on Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Flight Path and Last Known Location
The aircraft, operated by the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, had taken off from Yogyakarta province. Its intended destination was the city of Makassar.
Data from the flight tracking service Flightradar24 indicates the plane's final signal was received roughly 20 kilometres northeast of Makassar Airport. The tracker noted that its coverage in the area was limited due to the aircraft flying at a low altitude over the ocean.
Search and Discovery of Debris
Search and rescue operations were swiftly launched following the loss of contact. On the morning of Sunday, 18 January, a breakthrough occurred when teams discovered aircraft debris.
The wreckage was found scattered across a mountainside in South Sulawesi province, confirming fears that the aircraft had crashed. The difficult terrain has complicated recovery efforts.
Ongoing Investigation and Response
Authorities are now focused on the recovery operation and the subsequent investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The incident involves a state-owned surveillance plane, highlighting the risks inherent in maritime and fisheries monitoring missions.
The loss of the eleven individuals onboard is a tragic development, with families awaiting further identification and news from the rescue coordinators.
