The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) – often referred to as “black boxes” – have been recovered from the wreckage of an Indonesia Air Transport (IAT) ATR 42-500 aircraft. The aircraft crashed in South Sulawesi last week while attempting to land at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar.
Recovery Efforts
Timeline of Events
The joint search and rescue (SAR) team located objects believed to be the black boxes at 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The team had visually identified the location of the aircraft’s tail section, where the recorders were believed to be installed, on Tuesday, January 20. Adverse weather initially prevented immediate retrieval, but the devices were successfully evacuated on Wednesday and transported to a checkpoint in Tompobulu village.
Condition of the Recorders
Colonel Dody Triyo Hadi, an operations assistant at the XIV/Hasanuddin Military District Command, confirmed that both recorders were found intact on their mounts within the tail section. Video documentation of the findings has been sent to the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) for verification. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has been notified and is awaiting further instructions.
The Investigation
Next Steps
The recovered recorders will be handed over to the NTSC for investigation. Analysis of the CVR and FDR could provide crucial insights into the circumstances leading to the crash. It is possible that the NTSC will conduct a thorough examination of the recorders, along with any recovered wreckage, to determine the cause of the accident.
Victim Identification
As of Wednesday, the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team had identified one victim: 33-year-old flight attendant Florencia Lolita Wibisono. A second victim, a male, remains unidentified. The two recovered victims were found in the mountainous area around Mount Bulusaraung and transported to Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the aircraft go missing?
The ATR 42-500 aircraft was reported missing on January 17 while attempting to land at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar.
Who is responsible for investigating the crash?
The National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) is responsible for verifying the findings and investigating the crash.
How many people were on board the aircraft?
There were 10 people on board the aircraft: seven crew members and three passengers from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
What questions remain unanswered about the circumstances surrounding the crash of Indonesia Air Transport flight IAT 42-500?
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