Indonesian authorities are conducting a search for an Indonesia plane that went missing on Saturday. The small passenger aircraft lost contact shortly after departing from Yogyakarta, heading toward Makassar on Sulawesi island.
The turboprop plane carried three passengers and eight crew members, according to the Makassar search and rescue agency. Contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after 1:00 pm local time (0600 GMT).
Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the local search and rescue agency, confirmed that teams were deployed to a mountainous area in Maros Regency, near Makassar, where the plane was last seen. The search operation involves personnel on land and in the air, including the air force, police, and volunteer teams.
Andi Sultan, operations chief at the Makassar agency, said a helicopter and drones are being used to locate the missing Indonesia plane. Authorities are working around the clock to cover the challenging terrain and increase chances of finding the aircraft.
Indonesia, an archipelago with thousands of islands, depends heavily on air transport to connect remote regions. However, the country has a poor aviation safety record, with several fatal crashes in recent years.
In September 2025, a helicopter carrying six passengers and two crew members crashed shortly after takeoff from South Kalimantan, killing everyone onboard. Less than two weeks later, another helicopter crashed in the remote Ilaga district of Papua, claiming four lives.
Officials have urged the public to remain patient while search teams continue their efforts. Families of passengers and crew members are being kept informed of updates.
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The search for the Indonesia plane highlights both the risks of aviation in the region and the urgent need for swift rescue operations. Authorities continue to coordinate closely to locate the aircraft and ensure safety for future flights.
