Jakarta. An ATR 42-500 turboprop aircraft that went missing over Sulawesi on Saturday is suspected to have crashed while flying at low altitude during its approach to Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, according to the Transportation Ministry.

The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was en route from Yogyakarta’s Adi Sucipto Airport to Makassar when contact was lost. The flight was carrying 10 people, consisting of seven crew members and three passengers, and was piloted by Captain Andy Dahananto.

Based on flight chronology and the aircraft’s last known position, authorities believe the incident occurred during the critical approach phase. The region surrounding Makassar features steep karst mountain terrain, which poses elevated risks for aircraft operating at low altitude, particularly if a flight deviates from its designated approach path.

Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman Laisa said air traffic controllers in Makassar had instructed the aircraft to conduct an approach to Runway 21 at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport.

“During the approach, the aircraft was identified as not being on the prescribed approach path,” Lukman said in a statement.

Air traffic control subsequently issued corrective instructions to guide the aircraft back onto the proper landing trajectory. Additional directions were also relayed in line with standard procedures. However, after the final transmission, communication with the aircraft was lost and it was declared a loss of contact.

Lukman noted that global aviation data show most aircraft incidents occur during landing phases, particularly in areas with significant natural obstacles.

“Flight crews are required to exercise heightened vigilance when dealing with local weather dynamics, which can be unpredictable around the approach corridor to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport,” he said.

The ATR 42-500, registered as PK-THT, was manufactured 26 years ago. Following the loss of contact, search and rescue teams were immediately deployed, focusing on the limestone mountain area of Bantimurung in Maros Regency, near the aircraft’s last known location.

Preliminary weather information at the time of the incident indicated visibility of approximately eight kilometers, with partly cloudy conditions.