AviationNews – An Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jet overran the runway at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in South Sulawesi on Monday morning. The incident resulted in no injuries to the military crew and left commercial flight operations completely unaffected.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time on Monday, August 24, 2026, involving a Sukhoi Su-30MK2 bearing the registration number TS-3011. The twin-engine, multirole fighter reportedly overshot Runway 13 during a post-overhaul ground test and came to a halt on the grass with its nose pointing downward. Sultan Hasanuddin serves as a dual-use facility, accommodating both commercial airline traffic and military operations for the 11th Air Squadron of the TNI-AU. Despite the dramatic visual of the aircraft resting beyond the runway limits near a main public road, military officials confirmed that the crew emerged unharmed, while emergency responders and local police quickly secured the site.
Runway excursions involving high-performance military aircraft often lead to severe operational disruptions, but the layout of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport mitigated any widespread impact. While emergency handling efforts focused on recovering the heavy fighter from the end of the western runway (Runway 13), air traffic controllers seamlessly redirected all commercial departures and arrivals to the intersecting north-south runway, Runway 03-21. This rapid operational pivot ensured that both domestic and international passenger flights experienced zero delays.
“Based on the viral video circulating on social media, we can confirm that the incident occurred on the western runway, Runway 13, at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, and handling efforts are currently underway,” stated Taufan Yudhistira, acting head of the airport’s Branch Communication and CSR Department. “Airport and flight operations continue to run smoothly using the north-south runway.”
Following the safe recovery of the Su-30MK2, military investigators will likely focus on determining the mechanical or procedural root cause of the overrun, particularly since the aircraft was reportedly undergoing tests following heavy maintenance. Ensuring the reliability of the Sukhoi fleet remains a high priority for Indonesia’s defense ministry as it manages its airspace across the expansive archipelago. Aviation safety analysts will closely monitor the outcome of the TNI-AU’s internal probe, which may lead to revised maintenance protocols or updated ground-handling procedures for heavy fighter jets.
The runway overrun of the Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MK2 was swiftly contained, preventing injuries and preserving the flow of civilian air traffic. As investigators work to uncover the exact cause of the runway excursion, the seamless emergency response highlights the resilience of dual-use airport operations.
