Aviastar Found in Disturbing Condition after Three Days Missing

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The missing Aviastar aircraft is finally located with its current position detected to be in the Latimojong mountain, of Enrekang district as of this evening (5/10/2015). Police search team has spent two days hiking the mountain in search of the missing aircraft and finally caught up with what they have been searching for.

Earlier today, reports claiming that the object was found have been heard everywhere with joint team of Indonesian Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Police Force and Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) immediately headed for the location that was speculated to be the alleged position of the 3 days long missing aircraft.

Initial speculation suggested that the aircraft was located in an area that is hard to penetrate and surrounding by steep grounds so it was argued that the evacuation process might be difficult. Such information however, led to the current finding which confirms the aircraft’s whereabouts and its condition.

Head of Southwest Sulawesi, Officer Pudji Hartanto said the information regarding the recent finding was firstly informed by the volunteers who joined Luwu district Police operational search mission.

Pudji said that the aircraft has been detected to be in Ulu Satu Village of Latimojong mountain, South Sulawesi. It is said the condition is severely ruined with victims also can be immediately located inside the aircraft, similarly in disturbing condition.

“I have informed Head of Basarnas, Soelistyo regarding our finding and this information has also been passed on to the Head of Luwu Resort Police, Adex Yudisetiawan,” Pudji informs, Monday (5/10/2015).

Twin otter airliner called Aviastar en route Masambaa to Makassar reportedly lost contact with the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) in the evening of Friday 2 October 2015. The missing aircraft was carrying 7 passengers along with 3-cabin crew and reported to have made a contact to the airline traffic controllers of Ujung Pandang prior to its disappearance.

The aircraft was initially scheduled to arrive at 15.35 local time but it did not show any sign of presence until 18.05 on the same day with last consultation with ATC claiming it to be only 11 minutes away from Masamba. The search prior to the current finding was intense and continuous. (Akp/Ein)