Aviastar Plane Goes Missing: Twin Otter Plane, Carrying 10 People, Loses Contact Near Sulawesi Island In Eastern Indonesia

A passenger plane carrying 10 people on board went missing Friday in eastern Indonesia, an official reportedly said. The Aviastar airline plane lost contact while on a flight in South Sulawesi province.

The Twin Otter small passenger aircraft was traveling between Masamba and Makassar on the island of Sulawesi, and lost radio contact about 30 minutes before it was expected to land in Makassar, Transportation Ministry spokesman Julius Barata said, according to the Associated Press.

The plane was carrying four adults, one child, two infants, and three crew -- the pilot, a co-pilot and an engineer, authorities reportedly said, adding that weather conditions in the area where the plane lost contact were good.

"It was around 60 nautical miles from Makassar," ministry spokesman J.R. Barata told MetroTV, according to Reuters. "We have now started a search."

"Most importantly, we will work out its position first," Barata said. Authorities said a rescue team has been sent to search for the plane.