PKB Calls for Probe into Maros ATR Plane Crash

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ATR 42-500 Crash in South Sulawesi Claims Lives of Maritime Affairs Ministry Employees

A tragic plane crash in the Mount Bulusaraung area of pangkajene and Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, has claimed the lives of three employees of Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). The ATR 42-500 aircraft went down on Saturday, January 17, 2026, prompting calls for a thorough and transparent inquiry into the cause of the accident.

Did you know? – Indonesia’s marine resources are among the most extensive globally, covering over 6.4 million square kilometers. Sustainable management is crucial for the nation’s economy and food security.

Calls for Transparency in Crash Investigation

Members of the Indonesian Parliament are demanding a full accounting of the events leading up to the crash. “we encourage the evacuation process, handling of victims, and investigation of the causes of the accident to be carried out thoroughly, transparently and professionally, in order to ensure safety in the future and provide clarity for the families of the victims,” stated a member of Commission IV DPR RI and Chairman of the PKB DPP, Daniel Johan, on Monday, January 19, 2026. Johan also extended his deepest condolences to the families of those lost in the disaster.

Pro tip – Regular aircraft maintenance is vital for safety. Inspections identify potential issues before they escalate, minimizing risks during flight operations.

Dedicated Public Servants Lost

The loss is particularly poignant given the dedication of the KKP employees, who were actively working to protect Indonesia’s vital marine and fisheries resources. “As working partners of the Ministry of Maritime affairs and Fisheries in Commission IV DPR RI, we are of course very saddened by this incident,” Johan explained. “KKP employees are people who have dedicated themselves to safeguarding and managing Indonesia’s marine and fisheries resources.”

Deputy Head of Commission VIII DPR Abdul Kharis echoed these sentiments, praising the dedication of the individuals on board. “Highest appreciation for the dedication of the officers on board the plane,” Kharis told reporters. he also expressed his concern and offered condolences, stating, “Hopefully the evacuation can be carried out promptly by the authorized parties.”

Reader question – What role does aerial monitoring play in fisheries management? It helps assess fish stocks, detect illegal fishing, and monitor the health of coral reefs.

Identifying the Victims and Their mission

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries sakti Wahyu Trenggono confirmed that three KKP employees were aboard the flight, clarifying initial reports regarding the KKP logo seen on the aircraft. The employees were engaged in a critical mission: monitoring KKP resources from the air.

the victims have been identified as Ferry Irawan, a first-level junior engineer and supervisory ship analyst; Deden Mulyana, a first-level junior engineer responsible for managing state property; and Yoga Naufal, an aerial photography operator.

Preliminary Findings Point to Engineering Issues

Initial investigations suggest the aircraft experienced engineering problems prior to the crash. According to the Director of Operations for Indonesia air transport, Capt Edwin, these issues were identified on Friday, January 16, 2026 – the day before the flight departed from Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta, bound for Sultan Hasanuddin international Airport in Makassar. “There is indeed a problem with our engineering,” Capt Edwin stated during a press conference on Sunday, January 18, 2026. He emphasized that the engineering problems had been addressed,though the extent of the repairs remains unclear.

Watch the video ‘One ATR 42-500 Aircraft Victim Found on the Slopes of Mount Bulusaraung’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=examplevideo

Authorities are continuing to focus on the evacuation and recovery efforts, while also launching a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the