BMKG: ATR 42-500 Crash Attributed to Cumulonimbus Clouds in Maros
On January 17, 2026, an ATR 42-500 aircraft crashed in the Maros region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) reported the presence of cumulonimbus clouds in the area at the time of the incident. While the crash is not solely attributed to weather conditions, the clouds had significant influence on the aircraft’s approach phase.
Cumulonimbus clouds, large towering clouds associated with thunderstorms, pose severe threats to aviation due to reduced visibility and turbulence. On the day of the crash, satellite imaging and weather reports indicated these clouds contributed significantly to adverse flight conditions.
Rescue teams were actively involved in searching and recovering those affected. Efforts were focused on locating and retrieving the black box for further investigation of the crash causes. Weather conditions complicated the search and recovery of victims’ bodies, prompting the use of weather modification techniques to improve situations…
In this article, we delve into the implications of weather on aviation incidents and the measures necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future.
