Finding Aircraft Crash Site, TNI AU Deploys Personnel
- Editor Ahmad Faisal
- 18 Jan 2026
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has successfully identified the crash site of
an ATR 42-500 aircraft owned by Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) in the Mount Bulusaraung area, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, Sunday 18 January 2026.This was carried out after deploying an H225M Caracal helicopter from Air Squadron 8 and a Boeing 737-200 aircraft from Air Squadron 5 to conduct an aerial search mission.
Following up on the discovery, the Air Force immediately deployed five soldiers from the Rapid Response Force Corps and one National Search and Rescue Agency personnel to the location by using an H225M Caracal helicopter.
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Soldiers from the Rapid Response Force Corps and one National Search and Rescue Agency personnel joined the evacuation mission using Caracal helicopter to the crash site of the ATR 42-500 aircraft. (Photo:Air Force Information Service)
After arriving at the crash site, the Rapid Response Force Corps personnel prepared the initial steps for the evacuation process.
Moreover, the Indonesian Air Force has also deployed a joint force consisting of personnel from Sultan Hasanuddin Air Base, the 473 Battalion command of the Rapid Response Force Corps, and the Air Defense Artillery Battalion 23 of the Rapid Response Force Corps.
The ground team joined other SAR elements and local communities to foster search and rescue efforts. The Air Force is committed to continuously supporting the evacuation process and assisting relevant authorities with follow-up operations.
