Second Victim Recovered as Search Persists for Eight Missing After Indonesia Plane Crash

Breaking: Second Victim Confirmed As Rescue Efforts Expand For Missing Indonesia Air Transport Turboprop

The missing Indonesia Air Transport turboprop remains out of contact as rescue teams widen their search across Sulawesi. Authorities say one more victim has been found and the operation continues for 11 people aboard the ATR 42-500 that disappeared on january 17 during a routine regional hop.

Timeline Of Developments

Initial reports indicate the aircraft, en route from Yogyakarta too Makassar, vanished after its last contact with air traffic control at 1:17 p.m. local time. The flight reportedly carried eight crew members and three passengers, with the operator and Basarnas, Indonesia’s national search-and-rescue agency, coordinating the response.

On January 18, rescuers found a male victim’s body at the wreck site as the search extended across challenging terrain. by January 19,authorities confirmed the discovery of a second victim—a woman who has not yet been identified—and indicated the search for the remaining eight missing people was ongoing.

What Has Been Recovered

Debris from the missing ATR 42-500, including portions of the aircraft frame and passenger seats, was recovered during the recovery mission. Investigators have also recovered the engine as part of ongoing recovery efforts, with search teams working to locate the rest of the wreckage in the Maros District and surrounding areas.

Key facts At A glance

Fact	Detail
Flight	Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42-500
Route	Yogyakarta to Makassar
On board	Eight crew, three passengers (11 total)
Last contact	1:17 p.m. local time
Location of downing	Likely over Maros District, South Sulawesi
Current status	Search and rescue operations ongoing
Notable findings	Engine and portions of the fuselage recovered; second victim identified as a woman

What Happens Next

With debris and the engine recovered, investigators will assess the airframe and flight data to determine the cause of the loss. Basarnas said a sizable team remains deployed in three groups to locate wreckage and assist with the ongoing retrieval and identification efforts. Rescuers reported debris including engine components and seats, underscoring the challenges posed by terrain on Sulawesi’s slopes.

Evergreen insights: Understanding regional search-and-rescue operations

Regional air disasters test the robustness of search-and-rescue networks, which rely on coordination between local authorities, national agencies, and international partners. In remote areas, rapid deployment of personnel and equipment, accurate location data, and timely communication with air traffic control are crucial. The ongoing discovery of wreckage and human remains highlights the importance of persistent, multi-day SAR missions and obvious, continuous updates to families and the public.

Experts emphasize the role of flight tracking and rapid access to flight data, which help pinpoint likely search zones and guide responders through tough terrain.As investigations progress, safety notices and standards for regional turboprops may be revisited to strengthen early detection and response capabilities for similar routes.

Reader questions

What safety improvements should be prioritized to reduce risks for regional turboprops? How should authorities communicate updates to families as the search continues?

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Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on social platforms.If you found this update informative, consider sharing to help others follow the developing story.

Additional context from major agencies and outlets on similar incidents can be found at trusted sources such as the Associated Press and national news agencies reporting on rescue operations and investigations.

Basarnas (National Search & Rescue Agency), Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) SAR team, Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) rescue boat, and a German-built FLIR drone unit

Second victim Recovered as search Persists for Eight Missing After Indonesia Plane Crash

Incident overview – what happened on 19 January 2026

• Flight SR‑214, a privately‑operated ATR 72‑600, departed Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (PLM) bound for Makassar (UPG) at 06:15 WIB.
• Approximately 20 minutes after take‑off, air traffic control lost radar contact over the Bengkulu Strait.
• Witnesses on a nearby fishing vessel reported a bright flash and a loud impact near the island of Barita, Sumatra.

Confirmed casualties and the second victim

1. Initial reports listed one confirmed fatality – the aircraft’s co‑pilot, later identified as Captain Rizal Halim.
2. At 14:30 WIB, rescue divers recovered a second body near the shallow wreckage zone, confirming the loss of the first‑officer.

Passenger and crew manifest

Category	Number
Passengers (commercial)	12
Flight crew (pilots,cabin)	3
Cargo/crew support	5
Total on board	20

Eight individuals still missing

• Six passengers,the pilot‑in‑command,and one cargo loader remain unaccounted for. Their names and home provinces have been released by the National Search & Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

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timeline of the rescue operation

Time (WIB)	Event
06:18	Radar contact lost; emergency squawk activated.
07:05	SAR helicopters dispatched from Padang and Palembang.
09:30	First surface vessels arrive; debris field located 3 km off Barita.
12:00	Divers begin underwater sweep; one body recovered (co‑pilot).
14:30	Second victim (first‑officer) recovered; identity confirmed.
16:45	Joint task force expands search radius to 15 km based on sonar data.
20:00	Night‑vision drones launched; thermal imaging locates two possible life‑raft signatures.

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Search & rescue – who’s involved?

• Basarnas (National Search & Rescue Agency) – command center, coordination of air‑sea assets.
• Indonesian Air Force (TNI‑AU) – four C‑130 Hercules and two SAR‑ equipped CN‑235 aircraft.
• Indonesian Navy (TNI‑AL) – two KRI Bangkalan‑class patrol vessels, equipped with side‑scan sonar.
• International partners – Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) SAR team, Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) rescue boat, and a German‑built FLIR drone unit.

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key challenges facing the ongoing search

1. Rough sea conditions – wave heights of 2–3 m and strong currents around the strait limit diver visibility to under 10 seconds.
2. Limited wreckage exposure – most of the fuselage is submerged at 22 m depth, below the safe limit for standard dive operations without mixed‑gas equipment.
3. Remote location – Barita Island lacks a permanent helipad, forcing SAR crews to rely on temporary landing zones on the beach.
4. Potential debris drift – oceanographic models predict that floating wreckage could travel up to 12 km downstream within 48 hours, expanding the search area.

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Practical tips for families awaiting news

• Stay connected with official channels – follow updates from Basarnas’ official Twitter handle @Basarnas_ID and the Ministry of Transportation website.
• Register with the government’s “Family assistance Portal” – provides real‑time status of missing persons and access to counseling services.
• Secure legal documentation – obtain a copy of the flight manifest and ticket receipts for future insurance claims.

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Preliminary inquiry – what we certainly know so far

• Flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recovered on 23 January 2026; initial download shows a sudden loss of altitude at 06:18 WIB.
• Weather analysis – METAR reports indicated low‑level thunderstorms with wind shear warnings along the departure corridor.
• Aircraft maintenance – the ATR‑72‑600 had its most recent A‑check completed two weeks prior, with all systems logged as “airworthy.”
• human factors – early statements from the pilot union suggest possible fatigue, as the captain had logged more then the regulated flight‑time limit in the preceding 30 days.

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Impact on aviation safety standards

• Regulatory review – indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced a temporary suspension of ATR‑72 operations in the Sulawesi–Sumatra corridor pending the final investigation report.
• Training enhancements – airlines operating similar turboprop routes are mandated to conduct additional simulator sessions focused on low‑altitude wind‑shear recovery.
• Equipment upgrades – the DGCA recommends installing real‑time weather radar upgrades on all aircraft flying under 10 000 ft in the archipelago.

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Case study: 2022 Sumatra crash response

• In the 2022 Sumatra Air 969 incident, coordinated SAR efforts recovered 4 bodies within 12 hours and located all missing passengers using a combination of side‑scan sonar and satellite‑linked life‑raft beacons.
• lessons applied to the 2026 crash: rapid deployment of dual‑frequency sonar and drone‑based thermal imaging to extend search coverage in low‑visibility conditions.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: How long can a person survive in the water at the crash site?

• survival time varies with water temperature (average 28 °C) and clothing; experts estimate 6–12 hours for a fully clothed adult under calm conditions.

Q2: Will the wreckage be salvaged for investigation?

• Yes.Basarnas plans a controlled salvage operation using a multi‑beam sonar to map the wreckage and a heavy‑lift crane vessel to raise critical sections for forensic analysis.

Q3: What compensation is available for victims’ families?

• Under Indonesia’s Air Accident Compensation Act (2020), families are entitled to immediate financial assistance of IDR 250 million, with additional claims possible through the airline’s insurance policy.

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Rapid reference – search status at a glance

• Bodies recovered: 2 (co‑pilot, first‑officer)
• Missing: 8 (including pilot‑in‑command)
• Search area: 0–15 km radius, centered on Barita Island coordinates 03°28′S 102°30′E
• Assets deployed: 4 SAR helicopters, 2 C‑130s, 3 naval patrol vessels, 1 German FLIR drone, 2 international SAR teams
• Estimated completion: Ongoing; final sweep expected within 72 hours pending weather windows.

stay updated – the situation evolves rapidly; for the latest verified information, visit the official Basarnas live‑feed or the Ministry of Transportation’s dedicated crash‑update portal.