Indonesian Search Teams Locate Crashed ATR 42 Flight Recorders
Indonesian search teams have successfully located both flight recorders from the ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed in South Sulawesi. The turboprop, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, went down while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar on January 17.
Crash Details and Recovery Operations
The wreckage was discovered approximately 15 nautical miles northeast of Makassar airport, at an altitude of 1,390 meters. The search and rescue agency Basarnas confirmed that a joint recovery team retrieved both the cockpit voice and the flight data recorder from the fuselage wreckage on January 21, marking five days since the tragic incident.
Significance of the Discovery
Search and rescue mission coordinator Muhammad Arif Anwar highlighted the importance of this discovery for the ongoing aircraft accident investigation. He underscored that the retrieval of the recorders is a critical step in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Challenges Faced During Recovery
Efforts to locate and recover victims near Bulusaraung in the Maros-Pankep region have posed significant challenges. The search teams have engaged in high-risk operations in steep terrain, complicated by adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and low temperatures.
Next Steps
Following retrieval, the flight recorders will be secured and handed over to the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) for further investigation.
